Clarence Gregory Thummel

Clarence Thummel was born on his family’s farm in Downs, Kansas to Nick and Anna Thummel on September 25, 1929. He was one of nine children. Clarence met his wife, Mary Ann Dreiling, at a Catholic Youth High School basketball tournament in Hays, Kansas. They were married on September 25, 1950, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War. He was stationed in San Diego, California; Jacksonville, Florida; Memphis, Tennessee; and Honolulu, Hawaii then discharged at Treasure Island, California.

After the service he worked at Boeing and Honeywell in Wichita, Kansas. While working for Honeywell, Clarence, Mary Ann and their five children (Susanne, Carolyn, Mary, Annette, and Paul) moved from Wichita to El Paso, Texas where their sixth child, Mark, was born. The family moved to Lubbock, Texas where Philip and Elizabeth were born. In 1968, Clarence, Mary Ann and their eight children moved to Southern California and settled in Placentia.

Mary Ann passed away on March 6, 1989, after 38 years of marriage. Clarence continued to reside in Placentia where he later met and married his current wife, Terry Apodaca, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia, California on February 9. 2002.

Clarence’s Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, led him to his heavenly home on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Terry, and his eight children, Susanne, Carolyn, Mary, Annette, Paul, Mark, Philip and Elizabeth. Clarence had fourteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Mass of remembrance will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia. The Rosary will be recited prior to the mass of remembrance at 10:00 am.

Clarence’s cremains will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Orange CA, on February 26, 2026, in a private ceremony.