BOURBON – Thelma Marie Sellers, a gentle soul, passed to her eternal rest at age 94 on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, in Plymouth.
Thelma was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and aunt to her family. Thelma was born to Charles and Chloe Coy Jackson on Aug. 24, 1925, in the living quarters above her parent’s country general store in Gravelton. Growing up, Thelma and her sisters, Virginia and June, first attended a one-room school house during the Great Depression years. Thelma then graduated from New Paris High School and like many young women worked in a local factory for the World War II effort.
After the war ended, Thelma met a young WWII veteran named Arnold Sellers on a double date; though not with one another. Romance blossomed between the two and they were wed on Nov. 20, 1948, at Turkey Creek Church of the Brethren. Arnold and Thelma lived in Gravelton and Etna Green before building their home in Bourbon, where they raised their baby boom family.
Thelma was a loving and caring mother to Barbara, Larry, Allen and Patricia. She was an excellent cook, baker and gardener who loved to read and instilled that love for reading in her family.
Cherishing memories of her love for them are her children and grandchildren; daughter, Barbara (Alan) Neidlinger; Megan (Sam) Cox; and Daniel Neidlinger; daughter-in-law, Nancy Sellers; son, Allen (Pamela) Sellers; Andrew (Ashley) Sellers; and Courtney Sellers; daughter, Patricia (Jon) Van Der Weele; Kyla (Matthew) Schauss; Karlee Van Der Weele and Lukas Van Der Weele and cherished great-grandchildren: Peyton Sellers and soon-to-be-born baby Schauss. Beloved younger sister, June Geyer, also survives, as does brother-in-law, Lorain (Rosemary) Sellers; and sister-in-law, Sylvia Scholl; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved parents; husband, Arnold; son, Larry; infant daughter, Sharon; sister, Virginia Sheets; and brother-in-law, Amos Sheets.
As per Thelma’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Her children and their families will gather at a later date to inter her next to her husband and daughter. The family wishes to thank the caretakers of Miller’s Merry Manor and Center for Hospice for our beloved mother’s care. The family requests no flowers or plants in her memory.
“You may have tangible wealth untold, caskets of jewels and coffers of gold, richer than I you can never be, I had a mother who read to me.”
Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, is privileged to be entrusted in assisting the family with arrangements.
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Preferred donations can be made to the Center for Hospice, 112 S. Center St., Ste. C, Plymouth IN 46563; or the Bourbon Public Library, 104 E Park, Bourbon IN 46504.
Friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.deatonclemensfh.com.
