Pastor Thomas J. Fetterolf

Pastor Thomas J. Fetterolf, age 74, of Bloomsburg, died on Wednesday morning, October 16, 2013 at his home in Frosty Valley with his wife and children by his side and under the care of Columbia Montour Home Hospice. Tom courageously battled his ill health that began almost a year ago. Tom was born on Thursday, January 19, 1939 in Bloomsburg, a son of the late Raymond A. and Helen Phyllis (Snyder) Fetterolf. In 1956, Tom completed his high school education after graduating from the former Catawissa High School. Tom spent much of his younger life working on his father’s farm between Bloomsburg and Catawissa. Tom was employed with many businesses throughout the area as a young man such as Sears Roebuck & Co. Store in Bloomsburg, TRW in Danville and also as a landscaper for William Creasy. In 1961, Tom graduated from the Newark City Hospital School of Nursing in Newark, New Jersey. Also in 1961, Tom married his loving wife the former Kathryn S. Lowe in February of that year. Tom was employed with the Newark City Hospital for two years until moving to Branchville, New Jersey where he managed the Pines Nursing Home until 1965. Before moving back to the Bloomsburg area in 1970, Tom was also employed previously as a Nursing Supervisor in Ocean Gate, New Jersey, and later as an R.N. for the Jamesburg State Home for boys. In 1996, Tom also graduated with an Associate’s Degree from the Thomas Edison University. After returning home to Bloomsburg, he was employed as a nurse at the Grandview Health Homes in Danville, and later at the Danville State Hospital as a night shift Supervisor for over 13 years until his retirement from nursing. Following his retirement, Tom was called by the Lord into the ministry as a Methodist Minister. In 1984, Tom graduated from the Wesley Theological Seminary. He served locally for two years as the pastor of the Hendrickson-Mooresburg Parish until moving to Port Matilda in 1986 where he ministered for over 11 years. Tom later moved to the Salladasburg area where he served a three church parish for over seven years. In June of 2004, Tom retired from the Methodist pastorate, and returned home to Bloomsburg. Tom was later called back into the ministry to serve as the pastor of the Emanuel Reformed Church in Mainville following the loss of their pastor, Rev. Donald Pellman. Tom ministered at the Emanuel Reformed Church from 2006 until his health would not allow in 2012. Tom enjoyed many passions throughout his life which included his love of cooking, reading, hunting, shooting muzzleloading rifles, fishing, making jewelry from deer antlers, and his talent for growing a wonderful garden that many people in the area enjoyed the fruits of his labors. He loved singing in church choirs and in duets with his wife, Kathryn. Tom also enjoyed picking mushrooms and playing the piano and organ. He was a member of the National Assoc. of Local Pastors, a North American Hunting Club Life Member, a Bloomsburg Fair Member, a member of the Fair Vesper Choir and Committee, the National Muzzleloading Rife Assoc., the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, the Port Matilda Ambulance Squad, the Central PA Conference United Methodist Church Lewisburg District, and the retired Pastor’s Group. Survivors include his beloved wife of 52 years, Kathryn S. Fetterolf; five children: Virginia M. Molina and husband, Evelio, of Clewiston, FL; Thomas R. Fetterolf of Berwick; William J. Fetterolf of Bloomsburg; Laura S. Fetterolf and companion, John Barratt, of Bloomsburg; and Lewis J. Fetterolf and wife, Amber, of Blanchard; six grandchildren: Jodi A. Fetterolf, Thomas “T.J.” Fetterolf, Raymond E. Molina, Kyle Falls, Davis Falls and Shelby Falls; as well as a sister: Miriam H. Roberts of Seaford, DE. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 30, at 11 a.m. from the Emanuel Reformed Church with Rev. Samuel Reese of Port Matilda, officiating. Graveside services will immediately follow in the Emanuel Reformed Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Pastor Tom’s name are suggested to the General Fund of the Emanuel Reformed Church., 146 Church Rd., Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

Pastor Thomas J. Fetterolf

January 19, 1939 - October 16, 2013