William Roger Thome

William Roger Thome, age 90, went to his heavenly home on April 11, 2026, surrounded by his family at their home in St. Ignatius, MT. He was born December 26, 1935, in Lancaster County, PA, to the late William and Eva (Miller) Thome.

Since William and his father shared the same first name, he became known as “Roger” to his family, life-long friends and acquaintances. From an early age, Roger had a passion for farming. He raised chickens on his family’s acreage and worked for neighboring farmers during high school. He graduated from Donegal High School in 1953 and bought his first new car, a 1953 Ford Crown Victoria, with money he earned from raising tobacco.

Roger came to know Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior as a teenager while attending a tent meeting. He enlisted with the National Guards while still pursuing farming as his main occupation. Later, his brother, Jere, and his father joined with him and together they diversified into full-scale cattle & hog feeding, crop production and egg-laying & wholesaling operation.

Roger, with his local farm-raised preferences, fell in love with Linda Sumpman who was the daughter of a farming couple in the area. They were married on February 26, 1966, in Mt. Joy, PA. Roger & Linda farm-raised two children of their own, Daniel Roger, born in 1969, and Betsy Louise, born in 1970.

In 1978, Roger moved his family to northern Iowa where, in his own words, “the corn rows are longer”, and bought a farm north of St. Ansgar, IA. Roger & Linda worked on the farm together and raised their family according to their faith. They both served in their local church and were blessed to see both of their children come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. After selling the farm and moving to an acreage near Osage, IA, Roger enjoyed plowing bees, repairing and restoring farm equipment and going to equipment auctions.

Roger was known for his faith, hard work, his benevolence of labor and time to help others and his inherited ability to visit with anyone. He often bid farewell to friends and family with his favorite promise, “I’ll meet you in the morning”, a nod to a cherished hymn that gave him much peace. In their latter years together, Roger and Linda both drew closer to the Lord and became passionate students of the Bible, sharing the truth of Christ’s New Covenant Gospel with many.

Roger lost Linda’s earthly companionship & fellowship to cancer on December 8, 2023, after almost 58 years of marriage. After Roger was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2025, he sold his home and earthly possessions and moved to Montana to live with his son, Dan, and family.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Sumpman Thome.

He is survived by his brother, Jere (Ruth) Thome, of Elizabethtown, PA; a sister-in-law Sylvia Sumpman (Dave) Moyer of Mount Joy, PA; his son, Daniel (Kristine) Thome of St. Ignatius, MT; and his daughter, Betsy (Joel) Schillerstrom of Lone Tree, IA. He is also survived by one niece and four nephews as well as 14 grandchildren, Trevor Thome, Sawyer (Abi) Thome, Carter Thome, Sadie Thome, Lottie Thome, Connor Thome, Josie Thome, Hildie Thome, Fletcher Thome, Haddie Thome, Oliver Thome, Millie Thome, Ty Schillerstrom, Cody Schillerstrom and one great-grandchild, William Thome.

A viewing and funeral service in his honor will be held at The Lake Funeral Home, Polson, MT, on April 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The burial service will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Mona, IA.