Delbert Thomas, 82, of Clifford, PA., died Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at the Carbondale Nursing and Rehab Center, Carbondale, PA. He is survived by his wife of 61 years the former, Ann M. Ruddy. Born December 15, 1928 in Newton, PA., he was the son of the late Elmer and Freida (Smith) Thomas. He graduated from Newton Ransom High School and took classes for five years with Pipefitters Local 524 and became a journeyman pipefitter. Delbert worked as a pipefitter, but also had a second career as an antique dealer. After years of studying, collecting and researching antiques and collectibles, he opened an antique shop in Clifford, which he ran in his spare time until he retied at age 62 from pipefitting. Running his antique shop than became a full time career in which he developed a reputation of being a fair and honest businessman with an amazing knowledge of antiques. Delbert was also an avid gardener, providing his family with fresh vegetables and fruit. In addition, he was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and he also was a teacher in the truest sense, sharing his knowledge of gardening, antiques, fishing, fixing, with all those he met, but especially his family. He was a member of St. Pius X Church in Royal, PA. He will always be remembered as a very loving husband, father and grandfather. The family would like to thank the staff of the Carbondale Nursing and Rehab Center for their kind and compassionate care of Delbert during the last four months of his life. He is survived by five children: three daughters: Deborah Van de Castle and husband Raymond of Hanover, PA., Brian Thomas and wife Yula of Aiken, SC., Ann Marie Ford and husband Kenneth of Union Dale, PA., Laurie Cobb and husband Norris of Kingsley, PA. and Daniel Thomas and wife Cindy of Forest City, PA.; 15 Grandchildren; one sister: Dorothy Kreckman of Tunkhannock, PA.; one brother: Jack Thomas of Newton Ransom, PA,; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Elmer and Elias Thomas. The funeral was held Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 9:30 AM from the Shifler-Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 18 Airport Road, Clifford, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Pius X Church, Route 106, Royal, celebrated by Rev. Patrick L. Albert, pastor of Ascension of Our Lord Parish, Forest City, PA. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA. Friends called Friday, October 14, 2011 from 6-9 PM. Pallbearers: Ken Sporer, James Neary, Kyle Thomas, Michael Thomas, Joseph Thomas, Jack Thomas, David Cobb and Thomas Van de Castle.