Howard L. Thomas, 87, of Bloomingdale, OH died Thursday, October 16, 2008 at Valley Hospice North surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Steubenville on January 28, 1921 a son of the late Fred A. and Mary L. Monigold Thomas.  He retired in 1982 as a conductor for Conrail Railroad, and was also a pilot during WWII, flying a P38 Lightning fighter.  Howard was preceded in death by his first wife Ann Benjier Thomas; grandson William “Eric” Thomas; four brothers Clarence, Floyd, Walter and Everett Thomas; sister Viola McLeish.  He is survived by his wife of 40 years Dorothy Rodgers Thomas; daughters Carol (Kenny) Marshall of Burgettstown, PA and Patty (John) Murray of Barberton, OH; sons Robert (Kathy) Thomas of North Ridgeville, OH and William “Bill” Thomas of Follansbee, WV; step-daughters Linda (Henry) Vandeborne of Dellroy, OH and Cynthia Jordan of Wintersville, OH; step-son Allen (Janet) Hammer of Steubenville, OH; sisters Helen Atkins and Deloris Loury of Kentucky and Ruth Hickle of Pennsylvania; 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and  2 great great grandchildren.  Friends may call at Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, Wintersville, OH on Monday from 5-9p.m., where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, 12:30p.m. with Rev. George Romage officiating.  Burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Hospice, 380 Summitt Ave., Steubenville, OH 43952.  Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad will conduct graveside services.