Thompson

Paul J. Thompson, 75, of 623 Wendy Way, Franklin, passed away peacefully Monday at his home.

Born March 3, 1935, in Butler, he was the son of the late Harry T. and Marie Einsporn Thompson Sr.

Mr. Thompson attended Butler High School.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, where he served on church council and was a member of the church choir.

He was a member of the Victory Lodge 694 F&AM of Butler and the Oil City Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.

He worked 37 years on the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Penn-Central Railroad and Conrail. He started his railroad career on the track gang, then worked as a fireman and as an engineer. He was promoted to road foreman of engines, then to assistant trainmaster and then to trainmaster in Oil City and Meadville.

Mr. Thompson loved to fish and hunt before his health began to fail.

He was married May 12, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Butler to the former Florence J. Michael, who survives.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Thompson is survived by his daughter, Brenda Lee Johnson and her husband, Carl, of Franklin; and a son, Marshall P. Thompson and his wife, Cynthia, of Louisville, Ohio. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Patrick Thompson and his wife, Ashley, of Franklin, Michael Ferringer of Stoneboro, Andrew and Daniel Thompson of Louisville, Ohio, and Rachel Ann Lenhart of Franklin; one great-grandson, Tyler Thompson of Franklin; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Thompson was preceded in death by a daughter, Paula Jean Thompson, and a brother, Harry Thompson. He also was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret, and his in-laws, Charles and Frances Michael.

<B>THOMPSON </B>— Friends of Paul J. Thompson, who died Monday, April 26, 2010, may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at <B>Gardinier Funeral Home</B>, 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Sandra K. Jones, presiding. Interment will follow in the Franklin Cemetery.The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 325, Franklin, PA 16323; and/or the Lutheran Service Society, 3171 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237.Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardinierfuneralhome.com .