Thomas P. Saunders

Thomas Patrick Saunders, 90, of Zanesville, died Sunday, January 9, 2011 at Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital. He was born January 29, 1920, near Clouse Lake, Perry County, Ohio, a son of the late Aloysius H. and Grace Mooter Saunders. Tom graduated from Junction City Jackson High School Class of 1940. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and retired from McGraw-Edison after 36 years of service. Tom served his country during World War II in the Army, serving with the Headquarters Company 19th Infantry, 24th Division in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. While in the war, he received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberaton Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Ribbon. Tom was a member of the MacGahan Council #1065 Knights of Columbus, New Lexington since 1946, was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Erie #2070 at New Lexington since 1941 and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Erie #302 at Zanesville, during which time he held a number of offices on the local level, served as Past District and Zone Officer and Zone Chairman of the Boys Village Network Fund. He also was a member of Loyal Order of the Moose #866 of Zanesville, American Legion Post #58 at Somerset, Pomona Grange at Perry County, Jackson-Rehoboth Grange at Junction City since 1947, Junction City Jackson High School Alumni Association and the International Association of Machinist & Aerospace Workers. Surviving are two daughters, Grayce (Ron) Welsh of Adamsville and Roberta "Bobbie" Saunders of Zanesville and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, A. Lucille Saunders, whom he married August 2, 1948 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Somerset and who died May 14, 2008; a brother, Leo A. Saunders; four sisters, Gertie A. Carney, Rose M. Wolfe, Grace C. Wright and Janet Ann Saunders and several brothers and sisters who died in infancy. Friends and family may call 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Thursday January 13, 2011 with Vigil services being held at 3:30 p.m. and the Eagles Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2011, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 144 North 5th Street, Zanesville with Father Pius Pietrzyk, OP as celebrant. Tom will be laid to rest at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Zanesville with Full Military rites being provided by The United States Army assisted by VFW George Selsam Post 1058. Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville entrusted with all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 144 N 5th St., Zanesville, Ohio 43701 or to The Village Network - Boys Village Campus - Wooster, PO Box 518, Smithville, Ohio 44677. To send a note of condolence, a sympathy card or comfort food to the Saunders family: www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com