The Von Family have always been devout Catholics and long time parishioners of St. Thomas More Parish. Von and his wife Jane with their four children, Reid, Ellen, Anthony and Bobby have been at St. Thomas More church for decades.  

Von’s calling in his faith began early at age 18 in college when he converted to Catholicism due to his interest in the Newman Center at Ohio University. It is there that he and his wife met and their love for each other and their faith grew.  

Von believed in Evangelization early and providing a foundation for a Christ Centered Life for children was important. He was a pillar of the community that deployed three times in his life. It was his deployment in Iraq in 2007, that made his convictions for his faith even stronger. It was then that he decided to become an Ordained Deacon. 

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Von was ordained to the Diaconate on August 10, 2024, by Bishop Schlert at the cathedral of Saint Catherine of Siena in Allentown and was assigned to St. Thomas More Parish. Sadly, Deacon Von T. George, died on September 5, 2024.

The Deacon Von George Memorial Fund for rising 1st graders, is a beautiful example that emulates Von’s passion for Evangelization at an early age for children. It is a wonderful opportunity for families to help continue their child in Catholic Education. The STM Deacon Von George Memorial Scholarship Fund has been made possible by the generosity of the Toolan Family.  

Walter Beadling has been a parishioner with his wife Jan for many years and had a close relationship with Monsignor Murphy, who had a large impact on their faith-filled life. Walt was known for his caring, optimistic, and humorous personality. Walt held his family, friends, faith and his values in high regard.  

Sadly, Walt passed away unexpectedly on September 28, 2021. His funeral here at STM was attended by many family members and friends, many of whom were from out of state. A couple of his friends from upstate New York were very touched and impressed by the funeral. They were even more impressed with the joyous sounds of children playing on the playground of the church campus. It was then that his friends inquired about the STM School - a wonderful time capsule of honoring traditional Catholic School values with modern state of the art curriculum and technology. It was a perfect school to honor their beloved friend Walt with a Memorial Scholarship Fund. They decided to fund a Scholarship for students based on teacher recommendation, to help families continue their child’s Catholic School education and Walt’s desire to help spread the faith.

The STM Walter H. Beadling III Memorial Scholarship Fund is awarded to a rising Middle School student to help them continue their Catholic School Education and is funded by Mr. Jack Muckstadt and Mr. Andy Huber.

The Stolz family has been one of the founding families of St. Thomas More. From the ground breaking Christmas Eve in 1967 to the current campus of today, all members of the Stolz family have been pillars of the community. Jack and Marian Stolz gave of their time, talents and treasures to help create the legacy of the STM Community that exists today. All three of the Stolz daughters, Susan, Margaret and Catherine went to St. Thomas More School.

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Jack’s many talents of mechanics and repairs were always helpful throughout the church and school. He helped with many projects and additions of the campus and worked as a liaison between STM and the Salisbury Township Building Permit Office.

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Marian, who began as a substitute teacher in the first Kindergarten class in 1981, became a beloved member of the faculty, teaching 4th grade for over 17 years. Many events entertaining the teachers and the St. Joseph Sisters occurred at the Stolz home, providing a true parish family community. 

Mrs. Stolz, who was a favored teacher for many, would have loved this opportunity to provide an opportunity for a rising 5th grader to receive a scholarship. The STM Marian and Jack Stolz Memorial Scholarship Fund has been made possible by the generosity of the Stolz sisters in honor of their parents. Susan (Stolz) McCauley, Margret (Stolz) Oehmke and Catherine (Stolz) Hackney.

Gloria was a champion of her faith and education, especially higher education. She attended St. John the Baptist parochial school and began her first year at Central Catholic High School. She was a stellar, top-of-her-class student who not only earned straight A grades but also performed in musicals and plays. 

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Gloria loved the classics and was a voracious reader. Her father died when she was only 5 years old, and he died in her arms with a diagnosis of asthma. As she recalled, he was praying the Hail Mary in her arms. Her mother and sister had run out of the home to get help, but he passed while they were out. 

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Although raised only now by her mother, she had to leave Central Catholic due to financial reasons, as she could not afford tuition. She then left to work in a factory with her mother. She has recalled that it was not the best environment for a young girl to work. She longed to be back in school. 

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Gloria’s goal and passion was to have her children attend college. Both my father and mother worked to guide and support us in that goal. She instilled a passion for learning and curiosity about the world around us, embracing her faith in the process. When she learned other family members, like cousins, may not have the money to pursue college, she offered to help. 

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In her memory, we offer this contribution to the St. Thomas More School fund drive for Catholic School education and/or higher learning at Central Catholic. Although she loved the classics, we would not limit the gift to a student of the classics, but one who would be enthusiastic about learning, keeping the faith, and seeking a higher education.