THOMAS A. “DOOLEY” BETHEL JR
Thomas A. “Dooley” Bethel Jr., 60, of Bellefontaine, died at 10:40 a.m. Friday, May 18, 2018, at his home.
He retired from United Telephone after 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. He was an avid bowler, golfer and hunter who enjoyed taking annual fishing trips to Canada. He especially enjoyed “bullying” his friends and family.
He was born March 7, 1958, in Bellefontaine, to the late Thomas Andrew and Phyllis Ann (Wingo) McDaniel. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Belton McDaniel, who was a very special man who made him the man he was; stepson, Gary Holland; and sister, Roberta “Bobbie” Jean Moore.
He is survived by his first wife, Mary Christine Cane, whom he married June 12, 1982, and who survives in Bellefontaine with her husband, Larry Applin; second wife, Teresa Ann (Leonard) Holland, whom he married May 16, 2018; her daughters, Kerri Kristine (Todd Runion) Rogan and Brandy Rochelle (John) Spratt; son, Thomas Richard (Jessica) Bethel; special son, Charles Taylor; stepdaughter, Annie (Don) Kauffman; stepson, Bill Leonard; 16 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; two great-grandchildren on the way; sisters, Peggy Ann Roberts and Alice McDaniel; brother, Richard McDaniel; brother-in-law, Chuck Moore; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Eichholtz Daring and Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine. The Rev. J.D. Grigsby will officiate a funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Christ Our King Church, 1325 County Rd. 9, Bellefontaine. A burial will follow at Bellefontaine Cemetery in Bellefontaine. Arrangements are being handled by Eichholtz Daring and Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Grace AME Church, 233 S. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH 43311, or the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.edsfh.com.