Thomas J. Ropel Jr.

Thomas J. Ropel, Jr, 65, passed away Thursday evening, May 7th, 2015 at his home in Benton. Tom was born on August 16, 1949, to parents Thomas J. Ropel, Sr, and Arlene B. Ropel in Benton. Tom is survived by his mother, Arlene, brothers James Ropel and Stephen Ropel. Also surviving is his son Timothy A. Ropel and son Thomas J. Ropel, III with grandsons Preston T. Ropel and Landon T. Ropel, living in California. Tom was well-known in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the mid to late 1960’s for his outstanding pitching and hitting performances as a member of the Benton Tigers High School baseball team. A dominant southpaw, Tom recorded a record of 28-3 during his high school tenure, along with several no-hitters and one-hit ball games in the Tri-County and America Legion baseball leagues. In 1967, he was granted a full scholarship to Michigan State University, where played next to the likes of Steve Garvey, and coach Danny Litwhiler. Tom was also a standout in the Benton Rural Softball league in the 1980’s, playing for Friendly Tavern and Gordon’s Insurance softball teams. He created quite a few fun memories and made friends for life from the experiences in this league. Tom finished up his college with a Bachelors degree in Business from Bloomsburg State College in 1973, then become a production scheduler at the Benton Foundry for several years until 1988. In 2012, he finished out his career and began retirement after working for Malischak Brothers Construction Company Nanticoke. He truly enjoyed retirement for the past three years cutting wood, keeping eyes out for a monster buck, and looking after his dear mother, Arlene. Tom was an avid hunter, and loved having the Ropel family congregate to Benton for deer season every weekend after Thanksgiving. He had great successes over the years with hunting, especially buck season in 2012 when he downed an 8-point buck at 325 yards. Tom always displayed a sense of humor, was a practical joker at times and loved to keep it light and make people laugh. He was a family man that always spoke highly of his brothers, Steve and Jim. He also was involved with his son Tim, when he excelled at high school soccer, playing for Dallas. Most recently, he was following the little league seasons of his grandsons, Preston (a southpaw just like him) and Landon. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Thomas J. Ropel, Sr, and grandparents, Frank Ropel, Anna Ropel, Florence Rhone, and Warren O. Schultz. Friends and relatives are invited to the McMichael Funeral Home Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton for a viewing on Monday, May the 11th from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The family will provide flowers. The family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Columbia County Unit, 1948 E. Third St., Williamsport, PA 17701 or the American Heart Association, 1704 Warren Ave., Williamsport, PA 17701.

Thomas J. Ropel Jr.

August 16, 1949 - May 7, 2015