BUTLER: Thomas W. Gleason, age 90, passed away Monday, May 26, 2025 in Crystal Care Center of Ashland following a short illness.
He was born April 10, 1935 in Centerburg, Ohio to the late Hal B. and Careta S. (Watson) Gleason, the fifth of nine children. He graduated from Butler High School in 1953. A patriot, Tom served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1952 to 1960.
Tom was a dedicated worker. He worked at General Motors’ Fisher Body Plant in Ontario from 1957 until his retirement in 1988, and held various jobs before and after his retirement from GM.
Excelling in sports in high school, he was a three-sport athlete, and continued to play sports in his adult life: men’s slow-pitch softball, bowling, and golf. He was especially fond of golf, which he continued to play until he was 89. He participated in many golf tournaments with Moose International, traveling out of state to compete in events. Along with his teammates, he was inducted into the Clear Fork Valley Athletic Hall of Fame for quarterbacking an undefeated football season in 1951 with the Butler Bulldogs.
He lived in Ohio most of his life until moving to the Fort Myers, FL area in 1988. For many years, he and his wife, Pat, spent their winters in Florida and summers in Ohio at their home at Lake Maria. Once he moved to Florida permanently, he made annual trips to Ohio to attend the Gleason Family Reunion, and visit his family and friends. He was an avid sports fan, following the Cleveland Browns, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Tampa Bay and Miami teams, as well as professional golf. Additionally, Tom was a long-time member of the Mansfield Moose Lodge 341, where he served as an officer and continued his involvement with the Moose after moving to Florida. He served as the Governor of the Bonita Springs Lodge and remained a member until his passing. Tom was a very social person, friendly and outgoing; he never knew a stranger, always willing to strike up a conversation with anyone.
Tom is survived by his children Hal B. (Rhonda) Gleason of Mansfield, Rebecca S. Marth of Butler, Timothy M. (Sandra) Gleason of Butler, and Marcie D. (Mark) Laser of Shelby and was preceded in death by their mother Margie G. Leedy in 2009; stepson George M. “Mike” Barnes (Dannie) of Shelby, adopted daughters Martha “Marti” Gleason of Fort Myers, FL, and Vicki Gleason of Cincinnati, and was preceded in death by their mother Patricia R. Francis Barnes in 2007. Also surviving are his grandchildren Corey (Kristen) Gleason, Steven Gleason, Robert (Reanna) Marth, Siera (Jeb) May, Tori (Tony) Spalding, Brooke (Corey) Chandler, Hollie (Benjamin) Nye, Aaron (Josie) Gant, Gabriel Gant; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters Charlene Yarger, Palmetto, FL; Halene (Roger) Decker, Newark; sister-in-laws Dianne (John) Gleason, Butler and Ruth (William) Gleason of Burbank, CA; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his long-time faithful friends, and golf buddies, Bill McKay and Danny Albert of Mansfield and Everett Porter of Fort Myers, FL, among others.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Diane Caporal Collins in 2021, siblings and their spouses, Charles and Jean Gleason, Jean and Jerry Zeller, William Gleason, James and Joyce Gleason, Stanley and Dani Gleason, John Gleason; brothers-in-law, Clifford Yarger, Jerry Brokaw, and son-in-law, John Marth.
The family would like to thank the staff at Crystal Care Center in Ashland and the staff at Southern Care Hospice: nurses (Ella), aides (Breanna) for the care and compassion they showed him.
Friends and family may call Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 10 am to 12 pm in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where a memorial service honoring Tom will begin at 12 pm, led by Celebrant, Dave Roberts.
Memorial Contributions can be made to: Moose International, 155 S. International Dr., Mooseheart, IL 60539, or Moose Lodge 1454 Group, 25101 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
The Bellville Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Gleason family and encourage family and friends to leave a message of support or visit snyderfuneralhomes.com to view Tom’s tribute video.
Funeral Home: Bellville Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com