THOMAS, Marianna 82 of Dayton, was a longtime civic activist and widow of author and legendary radio personality Lowell Thomas, died Thursday, January 28, 2010 at Friendship Village. Mrs. Thomas died after a year long battle with end stage renal failure. Mrs. Thomas was a native of Ohio, born Dec. 9, 1927 to the late Eva and John Munn of Arcanum. After graduating from the Dayton Art Institute in 1947, she married high school sweetheart, farmer, Harold Krickenbarger. However, she had interests beyond the farm. She worked at various times as an announcer for radio station WDRK in Greenville and was a columnist for the Arcanum Times newspaper. During that same period, she began painting and sold several portraits. She continued to paint until a year before her death. Her first exposure as a civic activist and opponent of the Vietnam War came when she formed Citizens for Moral War. The groups mission and its oxymoronic title earned her an appearance on the Phil Donahue television show and attention from radio commentator and personality, Paul Harvey. She met Lowell Thomas for the first time when she asked him to accept a brochure from the Citizens for a Moral War. After Krickenbargers were divorced in 1968, she moved to New York and eventually became the executive director of the American Colony Charities Association for mothers and children at the Spafford Childrens Center in Jerusalem, Israel. She left that post in 1977 when she married widower, Lowell Thomas, the legendary T.V. and radio broadcaster, explorer and author. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas lived in Pawling, NY, after their marriage and she continued her activism in a variety of national organizations, such as the Family Services Association of North America. Mrs. Thomas returned to her native Ohio, settling in Dayton, and was an active volunteer in a number of causes, including the Dayton International Peace Museum and U.S. Civil Responsibilities. Survived by 2 sons Harold Krickenbarger Jr. of Dayton, John (Leah) Krickenbarger of Lewisburg, OH, 2 daughters Jane Krickenbarger-Oliver of Houston, TX, Maryln (Michael) Kaufman of Miramar, FL, 6 grandchildren Harold Josiah Krickenbarger-Oliver, Jeremiah Shane Krickenbarger of Lewisburg; Shawna (Bruce) Timberman of Wittmann, AZ, J. Storm, Shane D. and Logan R. Kaufman all of Miramar; 1 great- grand-daughter Allie Caswell; sister Gene Brown of Dayton, brother John Munn of Arcanum. Preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley; sister Kay Knupp of Vandalia and brother Richard Munn of Arcanum. Services 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home 5555 Philadelphia Dr. at N. Main St. by Josiah Oliver. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until time of services. Graveside Services 11:00 a.m. Monday at Shiloh Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Dayton International Peace Museum 208 W. Monument Ave. Dayton, OH 45402. On-line condolences for the family may be sent to www.bakerhazelsnider.com.


Published in the Dayton Daily News on 1/30/2010