Joan Evelyn Rhodes Thomas
Born on 15 July 1949 in Ashland, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. She lived in Enola, Pennsylvania and passed away unexpectedly and peacefully with JoAnn and Billy by her side on 17 September 2022 at Harrisburg Hospital, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Joseph Anthony and Lois Evelyn Rhodes (Taylor).
Joan “Joni” was united in marriage to William Daniel Thomas Jr., on 22 October 1968 in Ashland, Pennsylvania. While raising three children together, they are survived by JoAnn Marie Booth (Thomas), (Harold); Diane Denise Thomas; and William “Billy” Daniel Thomas III, (Tina). She is survived by her sister Eileen Whery, sister-in-law Judith Evans (Bert) and Nancy Justesen. She was preceded in death by her husband William and two grandchildren Dawn and Dominic Booth. Joni worked retail at Kmart and Sears while living in Mechanicsburg. She moved and lived in Lititz from 1985-2012. She worked at Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill as a cake decorator and then at PAI as an administrative Assistant. Later, she was self-employed selling “One of A Kind” painted products.
Joni cherished her 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren with another one expected soon. A smile always came on her face when they were around. She was a member of the Brethren in Christ Church, Eschol. She also loved collecting sewing material, doing crafts, shopping, and painting on glass. She was very talented, and it brought her great joy. She was proud to be an organ donor and knew the many blessings her organs would provide. Joni joins her husband; grandson and granddaughter as angels watching over us.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, September 26, 2022 at Eshcol, the Brethren in Christ Church, 12755 Buffalo Trace, Newport, Pennsylvania 17074. Visitation begins at 1:00 PM and services will begin at 2:00 PM. Refreshments will follow.
Interment will be on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 10:30 AM. at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. If you are planning on being part of the funeral procession it will leave Sullivan’s Funeral Home, 51 North Enola Drive, Enola at 9:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers memorials in loving memory can be donated to the Gift of Life, (Organ and bone marrow transplants). Please visit www. giftoflife.org/contrib.
Another noteworthy organization is “The Bread of Life” food pantry supporting over 250 other non-profits. To donate please go online to https://give.feedingamerica.org/ or send checks to 407 Juniata Parkway, Newport, PA 17074.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Thomas family.
One memory on “Joan Evelyn Rhodes Thomas”
This past summer, we were watching a movie. She went outside for a moment, called out.. Mike, come out here, you need to see this! See what, I replied. The full moon, it looks like it’s rising from the tree. I looked at her and laughed. Umm.. Joanie, take a closer look, that’s a street lamp behind a tree! It was the best laugh I ever heard from her, so I kept reminding her, when ever I could.