Thelma Mumby Battershell

Thelma Mumby Battershell, 84, passed away on Wednesday September 7, 2016 at her home, in Columbus, Ohio where she and her husband lived since their retirement in 1998. Thelma was born on June 28, 1932 on the family farm near Bryant, IN to Joseph Allen and Catherine Nellie Dilts Mumby.

She grew up in Bryant, IN. She was valedictorian of her 1950 high school class in Bryant, IN. After high school she attended Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, IN where she received a bachelors of science degree in 1955. She then attended graduate school at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She was a member and active participant in the Wesley Foundation on the Purdue campus, as was Robert. The couple met there. In 1958 she received her master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and was married. Bob and Thelma were happily married for 58 years.

After raising her family Thelma returned to school and earned her Educational Specialist degree at Kent State University in Kent, OH. She taught both elementary and secondary physical education in Rossville, IN, also at Jefferson Junior High in Lafayette, IN. She taught driver education at Harvey High School in Painesville, OH while raising her children, and later did substitute teaching at Riverside High School and Fairport High School. The job she was especially proud of was working at Lakeland Community College Women’s Center in the 1990s.

Thelma was a social activist, a feminist, a volunteer, a woman of faith. She was a member of alpha sigma alpha sorority, The Ball State University Clavia Chapter of the Mortar Board, a national honor society of college seniors recognized for their superior scholarship, outstanding and continual leadership, and dedicated service to the University community.

She also received many awards for sewing through 4-H. Thelma also led a 4-H group called the Sharp Needles in Painesville, OH where she helped her daughters Anne and Carol learn to sew and bake bread.

Thelma is survived by her spouse Robert Dean Battershell; her four children - Anne Battershell of Columbus, OH; Carol Battershell of Arlington, VA; John (Lisa) Battershell of Hamburg, NY; Mary (Ken) Whalen of Columbus, OH; her grandchildren: Alex, Adam, and Dana Battershell, Catey Jane and Edward Robert Whalen; nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Her family will receive friends from 2-4pm, Sunday, September 25, 2016 at North Broadway United Methodist Church, 48 E. N. Broadway, Columbus, OH 43214, where the service will follow at 4pm that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Cancer Support Community of Central Ohio 1200 Old Henderson Rd, Columbus, OH 43220 · (614) 884-4673. Or to Hospice of Central Ohio at 805 Hillsdowne Rd Suite A, Westerville, OH 43081 (614) 891-6000

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schoedinger Worthington Chapel (www.schoedinger.com). Condolences may be left on Thelma Mumby Battershell’s online guest book at http:memorialwebsites.legacy.com/ThelmaBattershell/homepage.aspx.