Thelma Irene Walton, of Warsaw, passed away at Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake at 4:25 a.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the age of 85.
She was born on Sept. 27, 1938, in Goshen, to Clara Edna Stull Comstock and James Francis Comstock. Thelma grew up in Elkhart County and attended Goshen High School and graduated from Ivy Tech. At the young age of 17, Thelma married Carroll Leroy Walton on Feb. 9, 1956. They celebrated 64 wedding anniversaries before Carroll passed away on Aug. 26, 2020.
Thelma was the beloved cook and dietitian at Lakeland Loving Care in Milford for 18 years where she oversaw thousands of meals prepared with care for the residents and staff. For many high school students, Thelma was their first boss. She hired many area students to work part time in the kitchen and dining room and she always made sure things were done properly. Later, she worked as the dietary manager at Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw for over fifteen years, greeted everyone with a smile and she genuinely enjoyed people.
She loved worshiping her Lord at New Salem Church of the Brethren in Milford. Thelma was an avid reader and loved history, dolls, flowers and of course watching the beautiful birds wherever she happened to be. Another favorite pastime was watching the activity on the lake when she lived on Little Barbee Lake. Over the years she lived in Syracuse, Pierceton and Warsaw and appreciated getting to know her new neighbors. Thelma was a longtime member of ALANON and volunteered at the Kosciusko County Jail Museum for many years. More than anything, she dearly LOVED spending time with her family. Thelma treated all of her grandchildren equally and lovingly but made sure to treat each and every one of them in their own special way. She touched many lives during her 85 years on this earth and will forever be remembered as a great mom, wonderful grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend to many.
She leaves behind her son, James “Jim” (Gaye) Walton, Battle Creek, Mich.; two daughters, Janet (Roger Bruce) Walton, Warsaw; Julie (the late William “Bill”) Green, South Whitley; 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers: Elmer, Joseph, Earl, Edwin; sister, Lucille; and her son-in-law, William “Bill" Green.
Thelma’s life will be celebrated with a service at noon on Saturday, April 6 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Layne Sumner. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 a.m. to noon. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Milford Cemetery in Milford.
Memorial donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 5635 W. 96th St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.