Richard E. Thompson

PAID OBITUARY WITH TWO PHOTOS

Rev. Richard E. Thompson, Sr., 84, of Warren, went home to his Lord Saturday, November 21, 2009 from St. Joseph Health Center. He was born Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1924 in Youngstown, the son of James M. and Margaret (Graham) Thompson, and was raised in Steubenville, graduating as a Steubenville Big Red.

Entering the U.S. Army in June, 1943, Rev. Thompson landed on Utah Beach on D-Day with the 44th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He fought in the Hurtgen Forest, Northern France, Central Europe, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Rhineland Campaign. On April 2, 1945, he was wounded in Germany, leaving him 40% disabled, and spent the next eight months in hospitals in France, Great Britain, and the U.S. For his service, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Victory Medal, and a medal from the Belgian government.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Rev. Thompson attended the College of Steubenville. He worked in advertising for the Steubenville Herald, as a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office, as an administrator for the Boy Scouts, and retired as supervisor of adult protection for Trumbull County Human Services in 1987.

Rev. Thompson studied at St. John's College of Divinity and St. Clemmens Seminary. He was ordained a priest in the American Orthodox Catholic Church and was later elevated to Arch Priest. In his retirement, he served as a mission priest to several local nursing homes and was conducting services recently at Shepherd of the Valley and Community Skilled Health Care Centre.

A stout supporter of veterans, Rev. Thompson was a member of the VFW in Franklin, Ky.; Trumbull County DAV, Chapter 11; Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Chapter 1, Canton; state and local chaplain for the Military Order of the Purple Heart; chaplain for the Ohio 4th Infantry Division Association; and chaplain for the Trumbull County Memorial Day and Veterans Day Association.

Rev. Thompson recently completed his memoirs. He enjoyed ministering to people in nursing homes, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Betty Jane (Walter) Thompson, whom he married February 2, 1949; three children: Richard E. (Bonnie) Thompson, Jr. of Champion, Janice (Bill) Losey of Warren, and Patricia (Greg) Winchester of Williamsburg, Va.; ten grandchildren: Nicole (Jeffrey) Schriner, Lauren Peck, Richard Thompson, Bill Losey, Elizabeth (Brian) Zillinger, Jill (Scott) Williams, Sarah and Andrew Tillotson, and Meghan and Paul Winchester; eight great-grandchildren: Gavin, Gracie, Chloe, Tim, Jacob, Jarod, Megan, and Caden; and a brother, John (Maryann) Thompson of Owego, N.Y. His parents precede him in death.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 140 Cherry N.W., Warren, Ohio 44485, with Rev. Dee Emmert officiating. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery, Steubenville. Friends may call 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Material contributions may be made either to Community Skilled Health Care Centre, 1320 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren, Ohio 44483, or Purple Heart #606, c/o Paul Brady, 6422-A Shafer Rd. N.W., Warren, Ohio 44481.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.