Thelma Eileen Oliver

Thelma Eileen Oliver, age 96, formerly of Devola, went to be with the Lord on August 24, 2025 in Reno, OH after a long and wonderful life of dedication and love.

Thelma was born to Ray Oliver and Alice DePuy Oliver on May 4, 1929 in Dart, OH. She graduated from Salem Liberty High School and was the last remaining member of the Class of 1947. She chose a career in nursing and was a 1952 graduate of St. Joseph Hospital’s nursing school. Upon graduation, she began a long career working at St. Joseph in many capacities. When she retired in 1988, she was the Assistant Director of the Renal Unit.

Though nursing was a core of her life, Thelma found the time to be a charter member of the St. Joseph Credit Union where she served as the treasurer for the Credit Union for many years. She was a vibrant member of Putnam Congregational Church where she served in many capacities. She was the coordinator of the soup fundraiser and was the meeting place for the Thursday group. After her retirement, she spent ten years on the Emergency Team for the Red Cross.

She was a blessing to her survivors – her brother, Harold Oliver, her sister-in-law, Shirley Warren Oliver, her nieces and nephews Susan (Chuck) Schillig, Kevin (Wendy) Oliver, John (Ruth) Oliver, Julie Johnson, Sheila Factor, Joyce (Ron) Rogers, Janet (Andy) Yantes, her 17 great nieces and nephews, and her 25 great grand nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind Mike and Susan Burkhart who kept an eagle eye on her and Tim and Becky Rush who came whenever she called, took her wherever she needed to go, and were the children she would have wanted.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dale Oliver, her sister-in-law Betty Best Oliver, her nephew-in-law John Factor, and her great nephew David Schillig.

The family gives thanks to Elison and Amedisys Hospice who took such good care of Thelma. She was surrounded by wonderful people every day.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday (Aug. 28) at East Lawn Memorial Park.   McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages of sympathy may be sent at www.Lankfordfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to Putnam Congregational Church, 707 Masonic Park Road in Thelma’s memory.