Rev

Rev. O. S. Thomas

Stillwater Valley News
November 29, 1937

Thomas Funeral Rites Held Today

Funeral services for Rev. O. S. Thomas, 62, were conducted this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Greenville Creek Christian Church with Rev. C. Collin officiating. Interment was made in Nashville Cemetery near West Milton in charge of Walter Routzahn.

Rev. Thomas succumbed to heart disease about 9:30 o'clock Friday evening at his home near Covington, before a physician arrived. He had been in failing health for the past two years which necessitated in the relinquishing of his pastoral duties in the churches of which he was in charge.

His survivors include his wife, Ada, two sons, Hugh of Troy and Rev. Frank Thomas of Greenville, two foster daughters, Mrs. Viola Brown and Mrs. Hazel Miller of Dayton; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Feely of Troy, now wintering in Florida, Mrs. Elizabeth Pearson of West Milton and a brother Harry Thomas of East Orange.

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Stillwater Valley News
December 1, 1937

OMER S. THOMAS

On May 29, 1875, there came into the house of Aaron and Susan Patty Thomas, a tiny boy to whom the fond parents gave the name of Oliver Samuel Thomas. In that home the little boy grew into manhood, attending the school near his home, afterwards attending the High School in Troy. His thirst for knowledge led him still later to attend Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio.

He taught school for a time and then threw himself with great eagerness into his cherished vocation of a gospel minister. For more than forty years he proclaimed the gospel with all the ardor and zeal of his nature.

His first charge as pastor was with the Sugar Grove Christian Church at Fidelity. In this church he was ordained to the ministry by Rev. J. P. Watson of Troy, who preached the ordination sermon. He became a member of the Miami Ohio Christian Conference and later served as it's president. He became the pastor of the Christian churches at Ludlow Falls, Shiloh Springs, Greenville, Campbellstown and Concord. While pastor of the last two churches, he was chosen as secretary for Home Missions by the American Christian Convention, and for twelve years he filled this position with distinction. After the close of his labors as Home Mission Secretary he longed to resume his work as a pastor. For seven years he served as pastor of the Congregational Christian Church at Covington, Ohio. This period was followed by the pastorate of the Phillipsburg and Greenville Creek churches. He was also substitute pastor for the West Grove Christian Church for a time. In leaving us he bequeathed to us all a heritage of tender memories that will be cherished for as long as life shall last.

On Christmas day of 1897, he was united in marriage with Ada R., the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. O. P. Furnas. For nearly forty years they journeyed side by side, sharing with each other life's joys and sorrows. He found in her a true helpmate who was the inspiration of all the achievements in his eventful life.

They were blessed with a family of three children, Hugh, Ruth and Frank. Their first great sorrow came when Ruth passed away in 1907 at the tender age of seven years and 6 days. Hugh is the teller of the bank in Troy, Ohio. Frank followed in the footsteps of his Father as a minister, and is the pastor of the Congregational Christian Church in Greenville, Ohio.

Omer and Ada became foster parents to two little girls who they took into their home and reared to womanhood, Miss Hazel Miller and Mrs. Clifton Brown. Six little grandchildren have come to them, bringing great joy into the family circle.

In his departure, he leaves one brother, Harry Thomas of East Orange, New Jersey and also two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Pearson of West Milton and Mrs. Mary..

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