Thelma
Jean Malone, age 76, of Marion, IL passed away peacefully with her
family by her side at 9:02 p.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2018, in
Heartland Regional Medical Center, of Marion.
She was born on Monday, December 1, 1941, in Harrisburg, IL, the daughter of John Oral and Minnie Maxine (French) Malone.
Thelma
Jean attended school in Galatia, IL and was a graduate of Galatia High
School Class of 1959. She continued on with her education that summer by
attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL where she
received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree and Master’s Degree in Home
Economics and had also completed some of her courses toward her
Doctorate Degree. She had also received from the State Teacher
Certification Board of State of Illinois a teaching certificate for
Special K-14 Teaching and Supervising of Vocational Homemaking.
She
first began her working career with Crab Orchard High School, teaching
Home Economics for four years. She then worked at Southern Illinois
University as a Home Economics Supervisor. She later worked as an
advisor for the University of Illinois Home Extension Office of Marion
County located in Salem, IL. She saw an opportunity to return closer to
her parents and applied for and received a position with the University
of Illinois Home Extension Office of Williamson County, IL located in
Marion. Her positions there were many. She was known for presenting
programs on various facets of home economics on the local television
station, radios, senior centers, and churches just to name a few. She
remained working in the Marion office for many years until her
retirement in 2006.
She has been a member of Aldersgate United
Methodist Church of Marion since 1968, where she was actively involved
on many committees and as event coordinator of church gatherings until
her health forced her to retire. She was a member of the Seekers Sunday
school class and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She also was a
member of the Marion Lions Club and once served as secretary and a life
time member of the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Kappa Phi
Club.
In her spare time, she loved traveling with friends, having
traveled from coast to coast, shopping and knowing the location of
every T.J. Maxx Store in the country. She also enjoyed cooking and
entertaining, playing bingo, crocheting, and spending time with her many
friends and family. Thelma Jean was dedicated to her parents and cared
for them until their deaths. She loved her family, looking forward to
the many times they all would gather together and was always interested in
all of their many activities. The many memories that have been created
will now be cherished by those she leaves behind.
She is survived
three cousins, Brenda Nance and her husband Murriel of Mt. Vernon, IL,
Judy Thompson and her husband Elbert of Carrier Mills, IL, and Dale
Malone and his wife Barbara of Marion; special caregiver and 2nd cousin,
Renae Cullum and her husband Mike of Creal Springs, IL; other special
family members, Nikki Williford and her husband Chris, Jaxen Cullum,
Peyton Lee Jones and his daughter Sophia Rose Jones, other extended
family, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and special family member, Noah Williford.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion.
The
visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February
19th at the funeral home. The visitation will resume again from 10:00
a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Aldersgate
United Methodist Church, located at 1201 North Fair Street in Marion.
Following the time of visitation, the funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Lance Leeds presiding.
Interment will follow next to her parents in Dillingham Cemetery located northeast of Marion.
For
those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to “The Kitchen
Fund” of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and mailed in care of
Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home. Memorial envelopes will be available at
the funeral home and the church.
For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.
