Thelma E. Keen peacefully passed away Sunday evening, June 14, 2015 in Ohio Health MedCentral Mansfield Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 90 years young.
She was born August 24, 1924 to parents James & Bessie (Harmon) Shoupe in Yeager, West Virginia. On May 24, 1942, she married Lester A. Keen and they shared 35 wonderful years of marriage until he passed away in 1977. They are now together again.
Thelma worked diligently to create a loving home for her family and also worked at Country Meadows as an aide for a time. She had twelve children but chose to love more as her own. She was always happy to play a game of BINGO and in younger years, she enjoyed bowling. She also took pleasure in reading her Bible into the late hours, singing to old songs, and working in her vegetable garden. Above all, Thelma cherished nurturing children of all ages. Her family will miss her orneriness and her giving spirit.
She was a faithful member of The Pines Christian Church in Mt. Gilead.
Thelma is survived by eight children & spouses: Jessie & Omie Keen of Mt. Vernon, Monroe Keen of Mt. Gilead, Kenneth & Billie Jo Keen of Mt. Gilead, Keith & Brandi Keen of Marion, Irene & Keith Nichols of Mt. Gilead, Pansy & Harold Yoder of Fredericktown, Juanita Lewis of Bellville, and Lisa Wright of Galion; daughter-in-law Sandy Keen of Marysville; son-in-law Bruce Hammond of Mt. Gilead; 61 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; seven siblings & spouses: Edith Ceranzo of Windber, PA, Jackie & Tom Farley of Windber, PA, Irma Shelton of Mt. Gilead, Christine Carpenter of Marysville, A.D. & Bertha Ferrell of Phoenix, AZ, Ollie & Freda Ferrell of Phoenix, AZ, and Tivis & Patsy Ferrell of Johnsville; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In addition to her loving husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three children: Rondall Keen, Bessie Lulabell Hammond, and Jackie Gillespie, two sons-in-law Harold Yoder and Ron Gillespie, and her sister Bonnie Foltz.
Her family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2015 in Snyder Funeral Home (2553 Lexington Avenue in Mansfield). A funeral service celebrating her life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday morning in the Pines Christian Church (6775 US Route 42 in Mt. Gilead). Evangelist Neil Gilliland will officiate and burial will follow in Zion Cemetery near Four Corners, Butler.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Thelma’s family and encourage you to share a fond memory or message of condolence to them—and watch her tribute video—at SnyderFuneralHomes.com
