Thomas E. Jennings Jr., 86, long-time resident of Franklindale, PA, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, with his loving family by his side. Born December 30, 1939, in Sayre, Thomas was the son of the late Thomas Edward Jennings Sr. and Martha “Winnie”. He was a graduate of Towanda Area High School, Class of 1957, and was a baptized member of the Franklindale Christian Church.

On June 8, 1958, Thomas married Marlene Ellen Smith at the United Methodist Church in West Franklin, Pa. Together, they shared nearly 48 years of marriage before her passing on May 16, 2006. Throughout those years, Tom and Marlene built a life centered around hard work, family, friendship, and the many adventures they shared along the way.

Growing up as the oldest of six children on a small dairy farm in West Franklin, Tom learned the value of hard work at an early age. Along with completing the daily farm chores, he helped his father pick up canned milk from local farms and deliver it to the creamery. Those early years shaped the strong work ethic that stayed with Tom throughout his life.

Tom’s Uncle Bill Brown later helped connect him with Cedarbrook, a large dairy near Johnsville, Ohio, where Tom was hired as a herdsman. Tom packed up his young family, Marlene and their oldest daughter, Julie, and headed for Ohio. During their years there, daughters Lorie and Michelle joined the family. Just as importantly, Tom and Marlene formed lasting friendships with the VanHorn and Baker families. Those friendships stood the test of time, remaining close for more than 60 years and becoming more like family. When Tom’s father became ill, Tom and Marlene returned to Pennsylvania so he could help with the family farm. After his father passed away and the farm was sold, Tom and Marlene, now with their fourth daughter, Melinda, began another chapter together as shopkeepers. They managed the Franklindale General Store in the late 1960s under Charlie Starr and again in the late 1970s under John and Delta Lamphere. Years later, that experience came in handy when Tom helped his daughter Julie at her gas station and convenience store on Route 414. Tom was always good for a smile, a story, and a conversation. In his later years, he remained a familiar face around the community and could often be found catching up on the local happenings at his granddaughter Jonelle’s JJ’s Ice Cream shop, enjoying a cup of coffee at Dan’s Auto, or stopping at Michelle’s Hungry Hut for a piece of pie or some funnel cake fries.

Driving truck came naturally to Tom, and over the years he drove local routes for Arco delivering fuel oil, hauled milk for Pelton, and trucked logs for Bob Nearing. It was not unusual for one of his daughters to be riding shotgun as he made his rounds. Although he enjoyed driving truck, Tom always had an independent streak and continued looking for a way to become his own boss. He found just that in the late 1980s when he purchased a Wood-Mizer portable sawmill and started his own business. The work took him throughout the area, particularly Bradford and Sullivan counties, where he met countless people, talked about wood and future building projects, and left his customers with stacks of freshly cut rough lumber. Tom truly enjoyed the work and the people he met through it.

Eventually, his knees told him it was time to slow down, and in 1998 he sold the sawmill to Gene Wesneski. What began as a business deal developed into a lifelong friendship. Tom continued helping Gene at his sawmill in West Franklin, coincidentally located on Tom’s family homestead, for approximately another 15 years and continued working well into his later years. As Tom and Marlene approached retirement age, the two decided to try something a little different. They bought a concession stand and spent their summers traveling the local circuit making funnel cakes. Marlene had the secret recipe, and Tom worked the fryer, while their daughters and older grandchildren were often recruited to lend an extra hand at the window. Together, they turned hard work into something the entire family could share, and even years later, many locals still remembered and raved about their funnel cakes. Tom was also talented with his hands and especially enjoyed woodworking. Over the years, he made rocking horses, a cradle, cabinets, buildings, and numerous decorative pieces. He enjoyed camping at Sunfish Pond, where time spent around a campfire created many favorite memories, and he always looked forward to trips back to Ohio to visit friends who had become like family. For all the different jobs, ventures, and places life took him, Tom also appreciated its simplest pleasures. Sitting on his front porch watching the wildlife, sharing a cup of coffee, swapping stories, visiting with friends and family, and keeping up with what was happening around town were often all he needed. He enjoyed people, conversation, and the familiar faces that became part of the fabric of his life.

Thomas is survived by his four daughters, Julie (Dave) Holcomb of Franklindale, Pa., Lorie (Larry) Radney of Powell, Pa., Michelle (Bryan) Shedden of East Canton, Pa., and Melinda (Kevin) Godshall of Wyalusing, Pa.; his grandchildren, Ashley (Tim) Bull, Jonelle (Aaron) Andrus, Josh (Ashley) Shedden, Sarah (Jake) Tice, Katie (Mike) Steever, Loren (Dana) Radney, Ethan Radney, Lara (Aaron) Radney, Robbie Godshall, and Megan Godshall.

He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Jaqueline (Justin) Fiske, Jesse, Andrue, Jennavieve, Avery, Jameson, Aurora, Arabella, Landyn, Atticus, Emmett, Zoey, Liam, Eliza, Ivan, Rylee, Adalynn, Bryanna, Braxton, Conrad, and Everly; and his great-great-grandchildren, Carter and Kaelyn Fiske, siblings, Janet Messenger of Towanda, Ronald “Dean” Jennings of Campton, N.H., Deb (Rod) Manley of Troy, Pa., and Kate Jennings of Wysox, Pa.; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard (Marilouise) Smith of Wilawana, Pa., Erma Smith of Perry, Fla., and David (Deborah) Smith of Franklindale, Pa.; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

In addition to his beloved wife, Marlene, Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Thomas E. Jennings Sr.; his mother, Martha Winifred Wood; his brothers, Robert Jennings and Gary Jennings; his sister-in-law, Merry Smith; his brothers-in-law, Everett Messenger and Alan Smith and a special friend; Shirley Strohl.

Tom’s family would especially like to recognize Michelle Delp, Casey Kerin, and Marie Kitchart, whose care and kindness helped make it possible for Tom to remain where he wanted to be, at his home. Their dedication to Tom brought great comfort not only to him, but to his family as well.

A time of visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Pepper Funeral Home and Cremation Facility, 578 Springbrook Drive in Canton. A graveside service to honor Tom’s life will be private and held at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Tom’s life will be announced and held at Sunfish Pond. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Franklindale Christian Church Flower Bed Fund, 17998 Rt. 414, Franklindale, PA 18832. Memories of Tom and condolences to his family may be shared by visiting www.pepperfuneralhomes.com.