Thomas E. Hailer, age 77 of Elmira, WV, passed away May 9th, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. He was born March 30, 1949, in Washington DC, the youngest of 5 brothers. After family tragedy, he was fostered by the Marshall family of Maryland along with their 13 children on a family farm. Forever deep gratitude will be held there. He married his wife of 54 years, Mary Hailer, after meeting her at Montgomery Junior College in MD. They were married happily within the Catholic faith at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Washington, DC. Despite the trials of life, they departed hand in hand.

With warm memories of his foster family, he searched for a land of his own. Finding a piece of a small valley of abandoned farmland in WV, he fell in love with it. The young family moved to Elmira, and with the help of his brothers, built a first home. As the story goes, he spent his last $200 on a chainsaw and gas to see them through that first cold winter.

Throughout his time in WV, he worked at Montgomery Wards in Charleston in the service department and later for the US Postal Service in Frametown until retirement. He worked at these and various other positions to make ends meet while he pursued his true passions: farming, improving the land, and growing his family in the faith. He is fondly remembered for his joy of growing and sharing the fruits of his labor with his family and friends.

He was a long time and dedicated member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Gassaway. Deeply devoted to his faith, many happy times were shared in service and worship to God with his found family there. He is survived by his wife Mary Hailer and their children Benjamin, Katie, and John; and their grandchildren from Benjamin – William and Emma; from Katie – Timothy, Logan, and Claire; and from John – Noelle. His ashes will be given to the wild and wonderful land he so loved. Tom will be greatly missed by those he left behind. With God’s generous blessings, may we meet again on the other side.

Family and friends are invited to gather for the wake at Roach Funeral Home on Friday, June 12th, 2026, from 5-8pm (prayer, hymns, and shared memories at 6pm) and a funeral mass at St. Thomas Church on Saturday June 13th, 2026, at 1pm followed by a celebration of life.

Arrangements by Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway, WV.

Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.