Thomas Rothermel

Thomas Hugh Rothermel of Brenham died on March 28, 2013, at the age of 88 years. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 1 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine with Pastor David Tinker officiating. Burial will follow at the Carmine Cemetery in Carmine. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 31 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. Thomas Hugh Rothermel was born January 14th, 1925 in Burton to Bailleux and Nathalie Ponfick Rothermel. He was baptized June 7, 1925 at St. John''s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Burton by Rev. V. Crusins. He was confirmed March 17, 1940 at St. John''s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Burton by Rev. E. Eiben. On December, 28, 1947, Tom was united in marriage to Dorothy Geraldine Noak at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Carmine by Rev. Leo H. Simon. Tom attended Burton schools before entering Brenham High School. Tom was a member of the record-setting Brenham High School Cubs football team in 1942. They completed the season with 12 wins, no losses and no ties on the way to win the regional championship in the Class A division of Texas schoolboy football. Soon after he was drafted out of high school at the age of 18 into military service during World War II on June 30, 1943. After being discharged January 13, 1946, Tom attended Blinn College, Brenham, Texas. In 1950, he graduated from Southwest Texas University in San Marcos, Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree with an Elementary Education Major. He completed his graduate degree with a Master of Education in 1957 at Sam Houston University, Huntsville, Texas. He was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone, Camp Warnecke in New Braunfels during summer breaks from teaching, Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance, City of Houston-sign administration, and USDA Inspector. Teaching positions were: New Braunfels Ind. School District, Goodwin Rural School District, La Grange Ind. School District, and Barbers Hill Ind. School District. He served as a Military Policeman attached to the 1369th Military Police Co. AVN during World War II from June 30, 1943 to January 13, 1946. He served in China, Burma, and India. He received the following military medals: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct medal, 3 overseas service bars, and sharpshooter, rifle, and World War II Victory Ribbon. During his lifetime, Tom was a member of St. John''s Evangelical & Reformed Church, Burton, St. Paul''s Lutheran Church, LaGrange, St. Paul''s Lutheran Church, Baytown, Sharon Lutheran Church, Pasadena and Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Carmine. He was a member of the church Men in Mission. As well as a life member of the China, Burma, India Veterans Association, American Legion Post #48 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, James Dillon #7104. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy Noak Rothermel of Brenham, daughters: Connie Sue Rothermel Bird and husband, Marshall of Splendora, Pamela Ann Rothermel Guthrie and husband, James of Pasadena. Granddaughters: Rachel Diana Bird Poffinbarger and husband, James, of Splendora, Johanna Ruth Bird of Houston, and Moriah Ashlee Guthrie of Pasadena. Great-granddaughters: Camille, Corinne, and Cristin Poffinbarger of Splendora. Also; brother, James D. Rothermel and his wife, Dorothy Ann Hodde Rothermel of Brenham, sisters; Nathalie Rothermel Landua, Annie Laurie Rothermel Thaler and husband, Raymond of Brenham and sister-in-law, Joan Smick Rothermel of Brenham. Nephews: James D. Rothermel, Jr.and his wife, Cindy of Alvin, Donald H. Rothermel and his wife, Debbie of Katy, Michael D. Rothermel and Cheryl Kimbo of San Jose, Calif., Charles E. Landua of Burton, & Raymond C. Thaler, Jr. and his wife, Linda of Brenham . Nieces include: Annette Thaler Turner of Brenham, Laurie Rothermel Satterfield and husband, Dr. William Satterfield of Elgin, Laurell Landua Smith of Burton, Lavonne Landua Spacek and husband, Larry of Austin; and numerous great-nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herbert and Clara Keng Noak , his sister, Mary Louise Rothermel, brother, William A. Rothermel, brother-in-law, Charles Landua, Sr.. Serving as pallbearers are: Charles Landua, Jr., James D. Rothermel, Jr., Donald H. Rothermel, Raymone C. Thaler, Jr., Larry Spacek, and James Poffinbarger. Honorary pallbearers are: Arnold & Magdalene Knuppel, Pat and Diana Armentrout, and Milton and Evelyn Haack. Memorials may be directed to Martin Luther Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Carmine or to Brazos Valley Hospice, Brenham. Funeral services are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.