Thomas A. Bethel Jr.

Thomas A. “Dooley” Bethel Jr, 60, of Bellefontaine, passed away at 10:40 a.m. on Friday, May 18, 2018 at his home. He was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio on March 7, 1958 to the late Thomas Andrew and Phyllis Ann (Wingo) McDaniel. He was also preceded in death by his step-father, Belton McDaniel, who was a very special man who made Tom the man he was; a step-son, Gary Holland; and a sister, Roberta “Bobbie” Jean Moore.

Tom married his first wife, Mary Christine Cane, on June 12, 1982, and she and her husband, Larry Applin, survive in Bellefontaine. On May 16, 2018, Tom married Teresa Ann (Leonard) Holland in Bellefontaine, Ohio and she survives, along with two daughters, Kerri Kristine (Todd Runion) Rogan and Brandy Rochelle (John) Spratt; a son Thomas Richard (Jessica) Bethel; a special son, Charles Taylor; a step-daughter, Annie (Don) Kauffman; a step-son, Bill Leonard; 16 grandchildren; a great granddaughter and 2 more great grandchildren on the way; two sisters, Peggy Ann Roberts and Alice McDaniel; a brother, Richard McDaniel; a brother-in-law, Chuck Moore; and several nieces and nephews.

Tom retired from United Telephone following 37 years of service. He was a member and trustee at Grace AME Church, where he participated in preparing and serving rib and chicken dinners to the community. Tom was an avid bowler, golfer, and hunter who enjoyed taking annual fishing trips to Canada. He especially enjoyed “bullying” his friends and family.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine. Rev. J.D. Grigsby will officiate a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23rd at Christ Our King Church, 1325 County Road 9, Bellefontaine. Burial will follow in Bellefontaine Cemetery in Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Bellefontaine.

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