Thomas J. Gower

Thomas J. Gower , 76, Girardville, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday evening after a long battle with renal disease.

Born in the former Locust Mountain Hospital, Shenandoah, he was a son to the late Thomas J. and Jean Marquardt Gower. He started his career for PPL Electric in the 1960s as a ground hand and retired as a field supervisor in 1996.

He was a member of the former St. Joseph's Church, Girardville, now St. Charles Borromeo Parish. He served as a lector, Eucharistic minister and CCD instructor for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. Sheridan Council 748, Girardville, the Knights of Columbus Schuylkill Assembly 4 ^th degree, served honorably in the Army Reserves and served as an assistant coach for the Ashland Girls Softball from 1997 to 2000. He enjoyed shooting darts, golfing and was a "rabid" Washington Redskins fan.

Tom was preceded in death by his granddaughter Tomee Leigh Gower on August 9, 2000, who he helped raise and his nephew Patrick Yackera on April 15, 2007.

Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joni (Boxer) Gower, Girardville; Three daughters: Sherie and her husband Rick Boyer, Mt. Carmel, Sharon and her husband Rick White, Ashland and Erin Gower of Pottsville; Three brothers: James and his wife Barbara Gower, Florida, Bill Gower, Girardville and John Gower of Frackville; Two sisters: Jeanne Joyce, Girardville, Carolyn and her husband Joe Yackera, Girardville; Four grandchildren: Gwen Boyer and her companion Jack Yost, Coal Twp., Christopher and his wife Amy Boyer, Milton, DE, Madison Munley, Pottsville and London White, Ashland; Four great grandchildren: Shain Lily "Bean" and Roudy Yost and Olivia Boyer; his godson, John Fallon Gower, Frackville and numerous nieces/nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Girardville, Worship Center of St. Charles Borromeo Parish with Fr. Edmund Brennan. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Ft. Springs. Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. with Fr. Paul Rothermel officiating and on Wednesday morning at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made, in Tom's name, to the National Kidney Foundation at 30 East 33rd St. New York, NY 10016 or online at https://www.kidney.org/support