Martha Thomas, 96, of 604 Sherman Ave., East Butler, died at 1:20 a.m. Friday at Butler Memorial Hospital

Born in DuBois, Jan. 9, 1909, she was the daughter of Amos DuBois Gilbert and Sarah McClosky DuBois.

She was a homemaker and had worked in the custodial department at Castle Rubber in East Butler for 22 years before she retired in 1974.

Mrs. Thomas was a member of the East Butler Presbyterian Church. She also belonged to the AARP.

Surviving are three sons, Fred D. Thomas of Connoquenessing, Harry R. Thomas of East Brady and James A. Thomas of East Butler; three daughters, Mrs. Leonard (Janet) Nocera and Mrs. Eugene (Mabel) Hays, both of Butler, and Mrs. Donald (Sarah) Bortmas of East Butler; 26 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

She also is survived by two brothers, James and Kenneth Gilbert, both of DuBois; two sisters, Mrs. Ann Burris of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mrs. Marjorie Hoffman of Rochester, N.Y.; and a number of nieces and nephews

Her husband, Harry Thomas, died Sept. 12, 1946. She also was preceded in death by two sons, a granddaughter, a grandson, two great-great-grandchildren, two sisters, seven brothers, and three daughters-in-law.

<b>THOMAS</b> — Friends of Martha Thomas, who died Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E North St. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Mary Sickels, her church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.Memorial donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity.Information also is available at www.thompson-miller.com.