William Thomas Galleher

On Tuesday, April 14th, William Thomas (Tom) Galleher, at the age of 84, peacefully ascended from this life to join God's Holy choir.  Tom was born in September of 1935 in Akron, OH to William and Marjorie Galleher.  In 1953, he graduated from Coventry High School.  Tom then went on to receive his pharmaceutical degree from Ohio Northern University in 1959, giving him the opportunity to help many with their medical prescriptions for over 40 years.  In June of 1959, Tom married the love of his life, Laura Jean Ballinger.  They raised three girls, Dawn Elizabeth (Beth), Cynthia Lee (Cyndy), and Robin Colleen, who kept life entertaining if not exhausting for both of them.  In time, Tom's girls brought not only three wonderful son-in-laws into his life, but also nine adoring grandchildren.

While Tom's family kept him quite active, he always found time to praise the Lord.  Jokingly referred to as Mr. Jean, he spent many years singing in the Lakeview Church's choir and serving as an Elder for the church.  He also led the Men's Morning Bible Study, which doubled as an excuse to eat breakfast at one of their favorite diners.  Tom loved eating food and serving food.  He was always happy to man the grill or help fill plates at church gatherings.  Both Tom and Jean would help with the yearly BBQ held at The Canton Christian Home in Canton, OH, where they moved into during their late years.  But it was his fudge that Tom was really known for.  Come Christmas time or any special occasion, it was a welcome sight to see him carrying in tin foil pans filled with his delicious candy.  He also enjoyed making candies from various molds, even doing up cream filled chocolate eggs. 

When it came to his personal interests, Tom was always listening to music.  From hymns to country, classical and so forth, he was drawn to all genres of music.  But his favorite music was one of nature, specifically the ocean.  Tom enjoyed going to the beach with his family.  As often as able, he would go to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where he could relax to the sounds of the ocean waves.  If he couldn't be near the ocean or listening to music, then he would be watching sports.  An avid Ohio sports fan, Tom cheered on The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Cleveland Indians, and yes, even the Cleveland Browns.  But by far, his favorite thing to do was spend time with his family.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, William, his mother, Marjorie, his brother-in-law and wife, Bob and Betty Ballinger, and brother-in-laws, Ed Ballinger and Jerry Stewart.  He is survived by his wife, Laura Jean, his three children and their spouses, Beth Prokop (Adam), Cyndy Lloyd (John), and Robin Bonin (Lance), his nine grandchildren, Joshua Prokop (Patricia), Jeremy Prokop (Stephanie), Jacob Prokop (Mckenzie), Amy Prokop, Kyle Lloyd, Kevin Lloyd, Cody Lloyd (Abigail), Brittany Bonin, and Brett Bonin, his brother, Danny Galleher (Sylvia), his sisters Golda Marie Cooper (Jerry) and Mickey Duerler (David), sister-in-laws Carol Ballinger, Patty Stewart and Betty Durbin (Jim) as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration Service of Tom's life will be held at a later time once we can all come together to hug, laugh, cry, and share how much we love him.  At this time, prayers are welcome in lieu of flowers or plants.  Donations can be made in Tom's name to The Canton Christian Home Benevolence Fund (https://auxiliary.cantonchristianhome.org/) or the Lakeview Christian Church of Akron, OH (https://www.lakeviewcc.net/).