- Date Of Birth: April 3, 1932
- State: Pennsylvania
Thomas M. Dincher, 87, of Bastress died Sunday December 15, 2019 at home surrounded by his family.
Born April 3, 1932 in Williamsport he was a son to the late Michael Joseph and Mary M. (Cassidy) Dincher.
As a young boy Tom and his brother Bernard “Mike” Dincher were well known in the Newberry Section of Williamsport. Tom skipped a grade due to his quick wit and affinity for reading which followed him all his life, he was a 1950 graduate of Williamsport Area High School. He also loved and wrote poetry, which one would know if they ever called his answering machine.
Tom and Mike were partially raised on a dairy farm by their German grandparents and learned the value of hard work.
Tom and Mike would often clear the basketball court for their sister Sarah, who was a charter member of HOPE Enterprises. Tom watched his mother and father care for the homeless and the downtrodden and advocate for his sister. Because of Tom and his brother and their wives continued care for their sister she lived to be in her 60s.
Tom was a paperboy and after reading the headlines in the newspaper at 12 he became one of the biggest Notre Dame Fans in the nation and continued this love and passed it to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Tom was drafted into the Army and was stationed in West Berlin, Germany as a gunner with an elite tanker Squad (Turner’s Tankers) during the Korean War 150 miles behind the Iron Curtain. His heart for the World War II orphans was exemplified by the selling of his cigarettes (given to him by the Army) to other soldiers to buy the orphans chocolate.
While he was overseas, a faithful young girl named Mary Patricia Heindl was writing him letters. She had won a contest in the Sun gazette called “Hire the Handicapped” and Tom’s mother sent this to Tom and they both knew Patty Heindl, a cheerleader from St. Joseph’s and a dear friend to his cousin Eileen Murphy, was the one.
Tom and Pat were married on November 26, 1955, sharing 64 years of love and building a family of five children. His children are Bernard (Diane) Dincher and their children Jacob (Pam), Andrew (Phoebe), Molly (Christian); Michael (Maureen) Dincher and their children Michele (Jay) Loomis, Miranda Dincher, James (Caterina) Dincher, Alexandra (Cody) Kelch; James (Elizabeth) Dincher and their children Josephine (Theron) Bower, Mary Dincher, Emily (Clinton) Gardner, Kathryn (Shawn) Dyroff, and Joshua Dincher; Elizabeth (Butch) Barnhart and their children Samuel (Erika) Barnhart, Benjamin (Harley) Barnhart, Caleb (Abbey) Barnhart; Peter (Ann Marie) Dincher and their children Jeffrey, Jason, Luke, and Peyton Dincher. There are also 19 great-grandchildren and 3 on the way.
He was a member of the Crooked Shot cabin where he made friendships with many. He was more than a hunting buddy, he was who they called on in their hour of need.
Tom and his brother co-founded Dincher and Dincher Tree Surgeons, as a side job to do what Tom taught all of his children to do well, work hard and provide for his family. Over 50 men and women are employed today in this business.
Tom worked at Lonza formerly known as Glyco for 42 years and worked so hard that many of his relatives were hired and still work there today on the work ethic legend he built.
He was always good for a funny story and always willing to feed and clothe those in need. He loved to go recycling with his grandsons and to tell everyone how proud he was of all of his kids and grandkids.
He was faithfully at the same back seat in Immaculate Conception Church with his wife every Saturday night.
Tom was always willing to speak truth and fight for the underdog. We were blessed to have his example as a worker, father, friend, and most importantly husband. He loved Mary Patricia as Christ loves his church. He will be missed dearly but his love for others will carry on through the enormous influence he had on his community, family, and friends.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
