Rev Thomas P. Diab

Rev. Thomas P. Diab, (Major; Air Force Chaplain) 61, formerly of Gibsonburg and most recently of Bossier City, LA, died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at the Christus Schumpert Health System in Shreveport, LA. He was born on July 20, 1945 in Toledo to Paul and Janet (Vine) Diab. Father Diab was ordained a Catholic Priest on May 8, 1971 in the Diocese of San Angelo, TX. He was an esteemed priest whose life was dedicated to his church, his country, his family and his past and current parishioners. Bishop Michael Pfiefer O.M.I. graciously granted Father Diab permission to serve as an Air Force Chaplain in 1980. He served as chaplain on a variety of stateside bases and was deployed to Southeast Asia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Japan, and once to Alaska. Additionally, he served at a number of other overseas locations, retiring in 2005. Surviving is his mother, Janet of Gibsonburg; brothers, Gene (Anita) of Valdemaro, Spain, George (Judy) of Findlay, OH, Mark of Plymouth, MI; sisters, Cheryl (David) McCahon of Chagrin Falls, OH, Tina (Bruce) Hickman of Elmore, OH and Nancy (David) Kaminski of Sylvania, OH; ten nieces and nephews and countless friends. Preceding Fr. Diab in death is his father, Paul. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 14, 2007 at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Gibsonburg on Tuesday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m. where his body will lie in state one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery with military rites performed by the Gibsonburg American Legion/VFW Post. A public reception will be held in the church hall following burial. There will be a memorial service Friday, May 18th, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 3800 Viking Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111. A pot luck will follow the service. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Father Diab to St. Jude Catholic Church, 3800 Viking Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111 or to St. Michael Catholic Church, 317 E. Madison St., Gibsonburg, OH 43431.