Thomas E. Fichter
78 years of age and resident of Fullerton, Whitehall Twp, passed away peacefully in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg Campus on Sunday October 15, 2023. Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Miller) Fichter. Tom graduated from Whitehall High School in 1963, and honorably served our Country in the U.S. Air Force during combat in Vietnam. He was a member of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Whitehall. For many years, he served as a Eucharistic Minister, sang in the church choir for over 40 years, volunteered at the parish festivals, and was a very dedicated greeter and usher at their 8:00 am Mass. For 36 years, Tom was a valued employee of the Lehigh Valley Hospital as a Bio-Medical Electronic Technician until he retired. Tom was a lifetime member of the Macungie Minstrelaires, where he loved performing on stage in their annual fall productions, serving as a Board Member and a member of various committees during the year. He enjoyed his memberships in Fullerton American Legion Post 367 and the Knights of Columbus. Tom spent a great deal of time volunteering at Peaceable Kingdom in Whitehall, a no-kill animal shelter that he was very passionate about. A valuable member of their community, he was compassionate, gentle, and patient with all the animals he worked with, and made a real difference in their lives. Tom loved his precious dogs, Casey, Samantha, Scooter McGee and Snickers. He was a devoted and loving pet parent, and each Christmas would send a card along with a picture of his dogs in front of the Christmas tree. He was a Sergeant at Large and a Board member of Pleasure of your Company Therapy Dogs. Tom loved taking his dogs to Cedarbrook and the Brandywine Community Library in Topton for their “Read to a Therapy Dog” program. Tom enjoyed the Iron Pigs and spent many summer nights rooting for their success. In his free time, Tom enjoyed gardening and baking. We will miss the wonderful cranberry orange bread he baked for our family's Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
Tom is survived by his cousins Kathryn Rindock of Breinigsville, Connie Lou Reichenbach of Easton, Ann Koefer of Whitehall, Philip Miller of Manassas, VA, and Alan Gagnon of Oklahoma City, OK. He will be greatly missed by many.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Stanley Moczydlowski, accompanied by his beloved choir on Saturday November 4, 2023 at 10:00 am in Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church 618 Fullerton Ave. Whitehall, PA 18052, located 1 block south of the Fullerton exit of Route 22, where his family will receive guests beginning at 9:00 am. Interment with Military Honors bestowed by Fullerton American Legion Post 367 will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Whitehall, Pennsylvania
For those who wish to honor Tom with a memorial contribution, his family suggests a donation to either the Lehigh Valley Humane Society 640 Dixon Street Allentown, PA 18103 www.lehighvalleyhumanesociety.org or Peaceable Kingdom 1049 MacArthur Road Whitehall, PA 18052 www. lvpeaceablekingdom.info Thank you kindly.
The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall is honored to handle his arrangements