Thomas E. Michelli

Thomas E. Michelli, 91, of Barnesville, Ohio passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, October 22, 2021 at WVU Wheeling Hospital.  Tom was born on June 11, 1930 at his home in Flushing, OH to the late Henry Lewis Michelli and Dewetta Marybelle Ward.  He was delivered by Dr. Lose and a midwife. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Lou Michelli who passed away on March 15, 2021; his brothers: James Michelli, Victor Michelli who was killed in action in Italy in WWII at the age of 18, Raymond Michelli along with his wife, Mille and young son, Randy who passed away in a camping incident; sister, Marjorie; two sons: Tom Michelli, Jr. and Michael Michelli; daughter, Tina Michelli Miller; his grandson and fishing buddy, Connor Merritt; and son-in-law, Mark Beetham.

Tom and Mary Lou were married on June 5, 1971 and they successfully blended two families into one.  He is survived by daughters: Vickie Beetham of Cadiz, Judy (Mark) Nagele of White, GA, Lori (Mike) Burkhart of Barnesville; sons, Rodger (Marianne) Michelli of Monroe, NC, Dale (Jeri) Smith of Newbury; brother, Donald Michelli of Pittsburgh, PA; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren plus one on the way in November; and several nieces and nephews.

Tom was very civic minded serving the people of Barnesville 13 years as a councilman and 20 years as mayor.  His greatest accomplishment, next to his family, was founding the Barnesville Emergency Squad.  He successfully recruited 28 dedicated original members, solicited the local businesses, civic clubs, coal companies and anyone who would listen to him to raise funds to purchase equipment and pay for the schooling and training to get the squad started.  They began serving the people of Barnesville and surrounding area on April 24, 1978.  He was a member of the Integrating Executive and Small Government committee for the District 18 of the Ohio Public Work Commission that prioritized applications for grants and loans for infrastructure improvements, served one 3 year term as a commissioner on the Small Government Commission that prioritized applications for assistance for small government entities for all of Ohio, past president of Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce for two terms, Kiwanis, and The Watt Center for History and the Arts.

Tom retired from Consol Coal in 1982 after 11 years as a welder for the shovel maintenance and a foreman.  He retired a second time from Barnesville Hospital where he worked as a maintenance man for 11 years.  His greatest asset was his wife, Marylou who supported and helped him in every endeavor he undertook.  he was also supported by his loving family.  He was proud of his family and happy that they are all doing well and have great families of their own.

The family is requiring that masks be worn at all times for visitation on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from 11am until the time of the service at 1pm with Rev. Tom Detling officiating at Campbell-Plumly-Milburn Funeral Home, 319 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, Ohio.  Burial will follow in Crestview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom's memory to the Barnesville EMS, 127 East Church Street, Barnesville, Ohio 43713.

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