Thomas E. Fichter, 78, of Fullerton, Whitehall Township, died peacefully Oct. 15, 2023, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg campus, Bethlehem.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Miller) Fichter.

A 1963 graduate of Whitehall High School, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Air Force during combat in Vietnam.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Whitehall.

For many years, he served as a Eucharistic Minister, sang with the church choir for more than 40 years, volunteered at the parish festivals, and was a very dedicated greeter and usher at the 8 a.m. Mass.

For 36 years, he was a valued employee of Lehigh Valley Hospital as a biomedical electronic technician until he retired.

A lifetime member of the Macungie Minstrelaires, he loved performing on stage in the annual fall productions, serving as a board member and a member of various committees during the year.

He enjoyed his memberships in Fullerton American Legion Post 367 and the Knights of Columbus, and spent a great deal of time volunteering at Peaceable Kingdom, Whitehall, a no-kill animal shelter he was very passionate about.

A valuable member of their community, he was compassionate, gentle, and patient with all the animals he worked with, and made a real difference in their lives. He loved his precious dogs, Casey, Samantha, Scooter McGee and Snickers, and was a devoted and loving pet parent.

Each Christmas, he would send a card along with a picture of his dogs in front of the Christmas tree.

He was a sergeant-at-large and a board member of Pleasure of your Company Therapy Dogs.

He loved taking his dogs to Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation and to the Brandywine Community Library, Topton for the “Read to a Therapy Dog” program.

He enjoyed the IronPigs and spent many summer nights rooting for the team’s success.

In his free time, he enjoyed gardening and baking.

The family will miss the wonderful cranberry orange bread he baked for their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

He is survived by his cousins Kathryn Rindock of Breinigsville, Connie Lou Reichenbach of Easton, Ann Koefer of Whitehall, Philip Miller of Manassas, Va., and Alan Gagnon of Oklahoma City, Okla.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Stanley Moczydlowski, accompanied by his beloved choir 10 a.m. Nov. 4 in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave., Whitehall.

His family will receive guests beginning at 9 a.m.

Interment with military honors bestowed by Fullerton American Legion Post 367 will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Whitehall.

Memorial contributions, may be made to either the Lehigh Valley Humane Society, 640 Dixon S., Allentown, PA 18103 or lehighvalleyhumanesociety.org or to Peaceable Kingdom, 1049 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA 18052 or at lvpeaceablekingdom.info.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.