Thomas J. Pellegrene

Thomas J. Pellegrene, of Willow Valley Manor North, Lancaster, died Friday at The Glen at Willow Valley. He was 87.

Mr. Pellegrene worked for State Farm Insurance Cos. for 33 years, first as an agent and then as an agency manager. Before that, he taught business and distributive education at William Penn High School in New Castle, Del. Mr. Pellegrene was a World War II Army Veteran, serving in the 465th AAA AW (SP) BN in the European Theater of operations.

He was born in Homer City, Pa. on April 27, 1921, the son of Ned and Theresa (Arone) Pellegrene. He was a 1939 graduate of Indiana (Pa.) High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950 from Indiana State Teachers College. He received a masters in education degree in 1951 from Temple University in Philadelphia, and the Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1972.

Mr. Pellegrene served for nearly 25 years as chairman of the Board of Adjustment in Newark, Del., where he lived. He was a longtime trustee at Newark United Methodist Church and has been a member of First United Methodist Church in Lancaster since 1995.

Mr. Pellegrene married MaryBelle McGowan on March 11, 1950 who survives. Also surviving are a son, Thomas J. (Pamela) Pellegrene, Jr., of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two brothers, Joseph, of Indiana, Pa., and Fred (Mary Ann), of Trenton, Mich.; and Joan (Tom) Boske, of Homer City; and a grandson, James T., of Ft. Wayne. A brother, John, died in 1977.

Memorial services will be held at Johnson Auditorium of Willow Valley Manor North, 600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, Pa. on Thursday, January 22, at 12:00 noon. Family will greet friends immediately following the Memorial Service. Private burial will be in Mohnsville Cemetery, Mohnton, Pa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the memorial funds of First UMC, 29 E. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17602 or Newark UMC, 69 E. Main St., Newark, DE 19711 or to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Dr., P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.