Thomas (Tom) W. Strause

Thomas William (Tom) Strause, 78, of New Ringgold, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 23rd, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Tom was born in Pottsville, Pa. on March 10, 1947, a son of the late Verna V. (Hill) and George T. Strause.

He was the husband of Jean M. (Smith) Strause. Tom married his high school sweetheart on June 17th, 1967.

He was a member of Christ Church McKeansburg and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hamburg.

Tom was very active in his church. After retirement you could find him cooking up some delicious food for soup night and he also helped with the food pantry.

Tom graduated from Blue Mountain in 1965 and from IMI in Reading in 1967. He enlisted in the US Army and served from 1968 until 1971 in Stuttgart Germany and finished his enlistment in Ft Gordon, GA.

After leaving the Army, Tom was employed with Guers Dairy and then spent the next 23 years as the warehouse/distribution manager with J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills in Hometown. He then enrolled at Lincoln Tech at the age of 55 and earned his Associate’s Degree in CAD Technology. He was employed with Base Engineering, Allentown and then Manorwood Homes, Pine Grove as a Draftsman where he retired.

He has been serving as an East Brunswick Township Supervisor for the past 18 years.

During his time in the Army, Tom served at the European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart Germany as Military Police. He quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant,  earning the honors of Soldier of the Month and Soldier of the Quarter. He was also selected as a member of the Honor Guard. 

Other than his years of serving his country in the Military, Tom lived and worked on his family's farm his whole life, he had every tool, and was always ready to take on a project.

Tom loved his family and enjoyed attending all of his children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren's activities. He also enjoyed traveling the country on numerous bus trips making many friends along the way. 

In addition to Jean, his wife of 58 years, Tom is survived by a daughter, Pamela (Strause) Teichman, wife of Edward, of Catawissa, PA; a son, George Strause, husband of Krista (Schaeffer), of New Ringgold, PA; two sisters, Georgine Reed, widow of Kenneth; Elaine Arndt,  wife of Kenneth.

His beloved grandchildren are Ashley Teichman, Skylar Teichman, Connor Strause, Brady Strause, Karissa Teichman, Parker Strause. Great grandchildren Mason Teichman, Jaxson Teichman, Paisley Teichman and Nash Matsago.

He was preceded in death by his infant son and daughter and a great grandson Maverick Thomas Matsago.

A Religious Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 29th at Christ Church McKeansburg with Rev. Jonathan Heim officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church McKeansburg 6 South Race Street McKeansburg, PA 17960 or Wounded Warriors.

Interment, with military honors, will be in Christ Church Cemetery, McKeansburg

Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., is honored to be serving the family.

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