Fons D. Thorum

Fons D. Thorum age 91 passed away on April 13, 2019. He was the husband of Annabelle Thorum. She was the absolute love of his life for almost 59 years, who went to be with the Lord on January 24, 2007. They are now together again. As a tribute to his loving wife “Annie” he wrote a book about her and their life titled “Annie and Me, My Miracle” which was Published by I-Universe, Inc. and carried by Amazon. He also wrote a poem as a tribute to their title, “I Cried A Million Tears”. When asked by a friend one time what he considered his greatest accomplishment in his life he immediately answered; “when Annie and I were sitting on the front steps at her barracks at Valley Forge General Hospital, (she was a master SGT. in the Army) holding hands and talking, I looked at her and said “Lets get married?”. She said yes after dating just five weeks and the rest was history. Total love and happiness for almost 59 years. Born in Hallam, PA he was the son of DR. A.A. Thorum and Mary (Baxstresser) Thorum. He was baptized by Rev. Walter Garrett of the Trinity Reformed Church in Hallam PA. He served in the Navy during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific for about three and a half years. When the war ended, he was assigned to the 103rd Naval Hospital on Guam. He spent his last six months of enlistment time on the USS Philippine Sea CV-47 Aircraft Carrier before his discharge. During the 1950’s Mr. & Mrs. Thorum were involved in cub pack 17 in Phoenixville, Pa. which Mr. Thorum was chairman of, and Mrs. Thorum was a Den Mother. She was always with extra children and their son Jack was also a member. It was a large Cub Pack with close to 50 children and a lot of happy participating parents. In the 1950’a Mr. Thorum sold baby furniture, toys and household furniture door to door. He did this along with his regular job working at the West Company as a Molder. They built up a strong and happy customer base and decided to open a new furniture business in and old farmhouse in Kimberton, Pa. It was successful beyond all their expectations and had many loyal customers from all over. They decided to close the business in 1973 because they believed that health and happiness were worth more than money. In mid 1975 they stumbled into the antique business. Their son Jack loved the business and working with all the customers, so he decided to work with them until his death in 2001. At that time, they closed the business. In 2008 The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a surly on the best places to do business in Chester County. Thorum’s Antiques was awarded first prize for the best place to shop and buy antiques. After his dear wife Annie went to the Lord, Mr. Thorum was involved in collecting household items taking truck loads to the needy in Southern West Virginia and Northern Kentucky. He also helped families in need in Delaware and Maryland. In 2013 he started collecting for a shelter in Reading, Pa., that takes care of women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Staring in 2009 Mr. Thorum started doing therapeutic stretch massage for anyone who needed it. He also measured 100’s of people and made shoe lifts to help with sciatic pain. He never charged anyone and did it in honor of his wife Annie because she always enjoys helping others. Mr. Thorum was a life member of the American Legion. He was a World War II Veteran of the U.S. Navy, Business owner, Antique Dealer, Volunteer at many charitable organizations and Member of the American Legion. Fons is survived by his grandsons: Michael D., husband of April (Creasy) Thorum, of Pottstown and Christopher D., husband of Sherry (Fort) Thorum, of Pottstown; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Travis, Brianna, Evan and Colby; and brother: William Thorum, of Jim Thorpe. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Annabelle (Dayley) Thorum; son: Jack D. Thorum; and sister: Grace Denithorne. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc, Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville, on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at 11:00 am. Officiating will be the Rev. Raymond J. Jachowski. Interment will follow in the St. Vincent UCC Cemetery. Friends will be received from 9:30 am - 11:00 am at the funeral home. In lieu flowers, memorial contributions in the name of Annabelle and Fons Thorum can be made to "Berks Women in Crisis”, 255 Chestnut Street, Reading, Pa. 19602. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.

Fons D. Thorum

October 4, 1927 - April 13, 2019