Thomas L. Mickler

CANFIELD - Thomas (Tom) Leo Mickler, 75, of Canfield passed away May 27, 2024, after a brief, but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Tom was born in Youngstown, Ohio to Leo H. Mickler and Mildred D. (Ranyak) Mickler on
March 1, 1949. Tom graduated from Struthers High School in 1967 and attended YSU before
going to work at the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. until its closing. He then worked for
Mahoning Valley Railway as an engineer until his retirement in 2012.
He married Deborah L. Haag on July 27, 1974, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Struthers.
Tom was a member of St. Christine Church.
Tom loved sports. He was a lifelong suffering Cleveland Browns fan, a Cleveland Indians fan,
and an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Tom was a YSU football season ticket holder for over 30
years. He loved tailgating at the games (both home and away), with Grant, Ron, Ed and a host
of family and friends. He also was a season ticket holder for YSU basketball and enjoyed
attending the games with Grant and Ron.
Tom loved to bowl and bowled in the Tuesday Suburban League at Wedgewood lanes for
many years. His crowning achievement was bowling a perfect 300 game in 2003. Tom also
golfed in the St. Christine golf league for over 20 years. For the last few years Tom, along with
Ron Garchar and Mike Golubic, (both lifelong friends of Tom’s from Struthers), took up fishing.
They enjoyed fishing at the local lakes and ponds but more importantly, enjoyed each other’s
company.
Above all, Tom was a consummate horseman and handicapper. He would tell stories of he and
his dad’s many trips to Mountaineer and later Ladbrokes and Hollywood Gaming. After a day at
the track, he would come home and say often “I broke even” which was a good day! He never
met a person he couldn’t talk to; he had the gift of gab!
Tom is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Deborah Haag Mickler, daughter Courtney
Whitaker of Youngstown, Kristen (Matt) Ronan of Williston Park, NY., his “adopted” daughter
Katie Cornelius of Youngstown and his granddaughter and Sweet Pea, Emmerson Bea
Cornelius and several cousins. He also leaves behind his best four-legged friend, Jakey Boy.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his granddaughter Olivia whom he will meet in
heaven.

Family and friends may call Thursday from 5 to 7 pm at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 11 am at St. Christine Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to New Lease on Life in Struthers or Friends of
Fido at the Mahoning County Dog Pound.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences to the family.