Tom L. Barcroft

Tom L. Barcroft, age 76, of Dover, died Friday, June 29, 2012, in Park Village Health Care Center.

Born August 31, 1935, in Mansfield, he was the son of the late John and Anna Menegay Barcroft. Tom graduated from Dover High School, and shortly thereafter, on July 30, 1954, married his high school sweetheart, the former Barbara L. Barnes, in Dover's First Moravian Church. He entered the service of his country in the United States Marine Corps - which was always a source of great pride to him. Upon his discharge, Tom began what would become a thirty-year career as a meat-cutter, working for several local food operations. He ultimately retired as the custodian of the Dover City Building.

Tom and Barbara were faithful members of the First Moravian Church at Dover, and Tom was a member of the Tuscarawas County Marine Corps League as well. He was a devoted family-man. The couple especially enjoyed their children's school and sporting events, and then those of their grandchildren when they came along. Tom had a strong interest in military aviation, and he and his family would visit aviation museums whenever the opportunity presented itself. The couple were also regular attendees at local concert performances, particularly those held in Tuscora Park. Additionally, Tom and Barbara were "regulars" at the Dover Bob Evans Restaurant.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Barbara; his two daughters, Barbara Jo (Ray) Thompson and Gloria Franks, both of Dover; his two sons, Tom (Kris) Barcroft of Mansfield, and Chris Barcroft of Concord, North Carolina; his seven grandchildren, Melissa (Brandon) Tylke, Nathan (Amy) Ady, Tony and Trisha Thompson, Ben, Zachary and Nicholas Barcroft; his five great-grandchildren; his sister, Goldie Gay Barcroft of Dover; and his step-sister, Shirley Watson of New Philadelphia.

Besides his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his step-brother, Robert Rothacher.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held Tuesday, July 3, at 10:30 a.m., in the First Moravian Church at Dover, with Pastor John B. Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Burial Park at New Philadelphia. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the church. Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, on Monday, July 2, 6 8 p.m. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Tom, please visit the Obituaries & Flowers link on the funeral home's website.

The family suggests that, instead of flowers, contributions in Tom's memory be made to the First Moravian Church, 319 N. Walnut St., Dover, Ohio 44622, or to the charity of the donor's choice.