Thomas E. Oldham

Thomas Edison Oldham, age 58, of, 1423 W Main Street, Valley View, died Sunday, October 23rd, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Pottsville. He was born in Harrisburg, on December 9, 1946, a son of the late Wylie A and Doris E (Ball) Oldham. He was a 1964 graduate of John Harris High School, Harrisburg, a 1971 and 1974 graduate of Shippensburg University with a BS in Accounting\Marketing and a MEd in Accounting and Management. He was a teacher for 28 years at the Upper Dauphin Area High School, teaching Accounting, Typing, and Basic Computer Keyboarding and applications. He retired from education in 1999, and began working for the Department of Environmental Protection in the Office of Chief Counsel. He was currently employed by DEP at the Rausch Creek Water Treatment Plant, Valley View. He was a retired National Guard\Army Reserve officer, obtaining the rank or Major with Branch Qualification in Ordinance, Transportation, and Quartermaster. His term of duty included three years on active duty in enlisted status with service overseas in Germany, fourteen years with the 28th Division Support Command in various duties including four years as a Company Commander and four years as an Administrative Officer, three years with the 213th Area Support Group as Group Supply Officer and two tours with the Guard on Reforger 87 and Wintx 89. He was a long time member, Past President, and Past Historian of the Hegins-Valley View Rotary Club. He was a member and Secretary of F&AM Valley Lodge 797, Valley View, Past High Priest of Tremont Royal Arch Chapter 221, and a member of the Consistory, Valley of Harrisburg. He was also a member of the National Sojourners, Inc, Harrisburg Chapter 76, a Masonic organization for military officers and senior NCO's. He was a member of Christ United Church of Christ, Fountain, where he was a member of the Fountainaires Men's Chorus. He was preceded in death by his first wife Laura D. Shull Oldham in 1993. He is survived by his wife Lorraine D. (Deitrich) Oldham, to whom he was married for 11 years. Surviving in addition to his wife are three daughters C. Noelle wife of Craig Petrasic, Campbelltown; Laura Michelle wife of Josh Hercher, York; and Ilene Danielle wife of Douglas Swartz, Harrisburg; two grandchildren with a third expected in December; two brothers David B Oldham, North Olmsted, Ohio and William P Oldham, Elwood, Indiana; and one sister Doris Ann Vargo, Middletown. Funeral services were held at Christ United Church of Christ, Fountain, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 29th, with Rev. Claude Schach officiating. A viewing was held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct 28th, at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Masonic services were held at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home. Burial wilth Military Honors was made in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ UCC Building Fund. P.O. Box 57, Hegins PA 17938, to the Tri-Valley Free Public Library, P.O. Box 557, Hegins, PA 17938, or to the Hegins Area Ambulance Assoc., Valley View PA 17983.

Thomas E. Oldham

December 9, 1946 - October 23, 2005