Thomas A. Lampert, 78, 59 Rummel Creek Drive, New Bremen, died at 4:50 a.m. April 6, 2003, at his residence.

He was born July 31, 1924, in Minster, to Bernard and Bernadine Berning Lampert. On June 7, 1947, he married Edna M. Quinter who survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Bill (Nancy) of Raleigh, N.C., Charlie (Sharon) and Pat (Jamie), both of New Bremen; four daughters, Peg (Nick) Will, Worthington, Teresa (Larry) Wissman, Julie (Tom) Pfenning and Kay (Bernie) Larger, all of New Bremen; two brothers, Virgil of New Bremen and Eugene (Joanne) of St. Marys; two sisters, Marilyn (Guy) Dennings, Covington, and Audrey McCollum, New Bremen; 24 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Deceased are two brothers, Orville and Victor, and a granddaughter.

He and his brother Gene operated Lampertís IGA in Piqua. He also was night supervisor at Minster Machine Co. prior to retiring after 35 years of service and raised cattle on his farm north of New Bremen.

He served in the 526th Army Infantry Battalion during World War II, earning awards for ground combat. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in New Bremen and was a life member of New Bremen American Legion Post 241 and Minster Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6432.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, the Rev. John Kroeger officiating. Burial will be at German Protestant Cemetery, New Bremen.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home, New Bremen.

Contributions can be made to Mercer/Darke County Hospice.