If you’ve lived in Perry County for any length of time, you know how Somerset feels. It’s a place where history isn’t just in the architecture—it’s in the names of the families who have stayed for generations. When a neighbor passes, the first thing people usually do is check the Bope Thomas Funeral Home obituaries. It’s basically the local record of who we were and what we left behind.
But honestly, looking up an obituary isn’t just about checking a service time. It’s about that weird, bittersweet moment of seeing a friend’s face one last time or realizing just how much a person did for the community that you never even knew about.
Why Bope Thomas Funeral Home Obituaries Matter So Much
Somerset is a tight-knit spot. Located at 203 S. Columbus St., the Bope-Thomas Funeral Home has been the cornerstone of the town’s grieving process for decades. When you pull up their recent listings, you aren’t just seeing names like Thomas Dittoe or Dorothy "Dodie" Snider. You’re seeing a map of the town’s connections.
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People check these obituaries for a few very practical reasons:
- Service Times: Let’s be real, you don’t want to miss the visitation because you guessed the wrong day.
- The Tribute Wall: This is where the real "human" stuff happens. People post photos of fishing trips or old high school memories that never made it into the formal paper.
- Flower Orders: Most people use the site to send a wreath or a plant directly to the service without having to call around.
The funeral home itself, managed by Executive Director John C. Bope, has been officially incorporated since 1990, though the roots of the service in this area go back much further. It’s that longevity that makes their obituary archives a gold mine for local history buffs and genealogists alike.
Finding Recent and Past Listings
If you’re looking for someone specifically, the main hub is their official website. They’ve got it set up where you can filter by "Recent" or "Past" services. Lately, as of early 2026, the community has said goodbye to several familiar faces. You might see names like Sandra Henery from Somerset or Amber Curry from Thornville.
One thing that surprises people is how long these records stay up. It’s not like the old days where the newspaper went into the recycling bin on Monday and the memory was gone. These digital obituaries act as a permanent memorial. You can go back and read about Carol L. Thomas, who was a co-owner of the home and a fixture at the United Methodist Church until she passed in 2015.
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What’s Usually Included?
A standard entry isn't just a dry list of survivors. Because they know the families personally, the write-ups often include those small, quirky details.
- Life Highlights: Where they went to school (usually Somerset High or Sheridan), where they worked (Central Silica is a common one), and their military service.
- The "Preceded by" Section: This is the genealogy part. It connects the dots between the old Somerset families—the Bopes, the Clouses, the Duplers.
- Donation Requests: Many families now ask for donations to local spots like the Somerset American Legion Leo Ryan Post 58 instead of flowers.
How to Navigate the Site Without Getting Lost
It’s pretty straightforward, but there are a couple of tricks. If you go to the "All Obituaries" section, there’s a search bar. Don't just type the last name; sometimes just the first name and the year of death works better if you aren't sure of the spelling.
Kinda interesting—they also have a feature for "Daily Grief Support Emails." If you’re the one who lost a loved one, you can sign up on the obituary page, and they’ll send you a little something every day for a year. It’s a nice touch that most big corporate funeral homes don't bother with.
Correcting the "Newspaper Only" Myth
A lot of older folks still think you have to wait for the Perry County Tribune to see the full story. That’s not really true anymore. The Bope Thomas Funeral Home obituaries are usually live online 24 to 48 hours before they ever hit the print edition.
If you’re trying to find an older obituary—say, from the 1950s or 60s—the digital site might not have it. In those cases, you're better off checking the Perry County District Library archives. But for anything within the last 15–20 years, the funeral home’s digital archive is remarkably thorough.
Practical Steps for Family Members
If you are currently tasked with handling arrangements and need to get an obituary posted, here is the basic workflow:
- Gather the basics: Full name, date of birth, and place of death are the starters.
- Write the narrative: Focus on what made them "them." Did they love the Somerset Pumpkin Show? Were they a volunteer firefighter? Mention it.
- Choose the photo: The funeral home handles the upload, but you want a high-resolution shot.
- Set the legacy: Decide on a preferred charity for memorial contributions early so it can be included in the first posting.
Actionable Insights for the Somerset Community
If you need to check a listing or send condolences right now:
- Visit the official site: Go directly to bopethomasfuneralhome.com for the most accurate, updated service times.
- Sign up for alerts: There’s an option to join their obituary email list so you don’t miss news about a neighbor.
- Use the Tribute Wall: Even if you can’t make it to the service, leaving a digital note means a lot to the family weeks down the road when things quiet down.
- Check the map: If you’re traveling from out of town, use the "Directions" tab on their site; parking in downtown Somerset can be tricky during large services, so it helps to have a plan.
Whether you're looking for information on a recent passing like Thomas Dittoe or researching a family member from years ago, these records are the heartbeat of the village. They remind us that in a place like Somerset, nobody is ever truly just a name on a page.