Obituary of Thomas Greer McElhaney

Thomas Greer McElhaney, Jr., 86, of Belleville, died Thursday, September 21, 2017, at Valley View Haven. Born October 19, 1930, in Harrisburg, he was the son of the late Thomas Greer and Janet Vincent Thompson McElhaney Sr. On October 20th 1950, he married his lifelong partner Geraldine "Gerry" Arletta Shiley, who survives. Also surviving are two children, Thomas Greer McElhaney III and his wife, Michele Firth, of State College and Peggy Lynn McClain and her husband, James, of Mechanicsburg; four grandsons, Justin McElhaney and his wife, Allison, Tyler McElhaney, Matthew McClain and his wife, Lauren and Sean McClain and his wife, WallyAnn. He was a 1948 graduate of John Harris High School, Harrisburg. He received an associate's degree in Banking and Finance from Thompson Institute, Harrisburg. Thomas served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap where his banking career began as payroll clerk. After his military service he was employed by Dauphin Deposit Bank in Harrisburg beginning as a teller and advancing to loan officer. At that time he was also employed by Burroughs Corporation, as marketing and sales representative. In 1965 his banking career next took the family to Lewistown, PA where he was Vice President of the First National Bank of Lewistown. Over years the First National Bank was acquired by Central Counties Bank, State College. Central Counties Bank was acquired by Mellon Bank from which he was a Regional Vice President until his retirement at age fifty-seven. He spent the next twenty-five years living between Central PA and Hobe Sound, Florida. In Florida he pursued his second calling as a Methodist Lay Minister associated with the1st United Methodist Church of Jupiter. His service in ministry continued until the last few months. He was a member of 1st United Methodist Church of Lewistown. A sixty year member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 464 F&A.M. and the Valley of Harrisburg, PA Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was a past member of the Lewistown Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club. He had served on the Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation and Pennsylvania Small Business Association. Tom's primary recreational activity was golf which many times involved Gerry. He enjoyed nature with special emphasis on bird watching. He loved to sing and whistle. At the drop of a hat he would play cribbage or hearts in which he always shot the moon. He loved life and touched the lives of those around him. Memorial service will be held at 12:30pm, on Sunday, October 8th at the Valley View Retirement Community Chapel, 4702 E Main St. Belleville, PA with the Reverend Gerald Peachey officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Harrisburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley View Memory Lane, 4702 East Main Street, Belleville, PA 17004 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 270 Walker Drive Suite 15, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.