Thelma Rae Schoneveld

Thelma Rae Schoneveld was born on September 15, 1951 in Artesia, California to her loving parents John and Henrietta (De Groot) Schoneveld. After a tragic accident, she entered into her heavenly home on the exact day God had ordained for her, July 25, 2024 at 72 years old, outliving the doctor’s prognosis for her life by many decades. Thelma was born with severe scoliosis, a brain injury, and cerebral palsy but she was fearfully and wonderfully made, my soul knows that well! She lived in this broken world with many disabilities, unable to both talk and walk, but Thelma’s precious life is not marked by what she couldn’t do but what by God’s grace she could and did do. God fashioned Thelma in his image, God used her to beautifully reflect his glory and God has tenderly cared for her every one of her days.

This care began by providing Thelma with a loving home. God gave her wonderful parents who cared for her every need for the first 42 years of her life. Their faith in Jesus Christ was very real and it is what carried them on the path that God had ordained for them. Thelma’s mother, Henrietta (affectionally known as Grandma Reddy), devoted her life to caring for all of Thelma’s physical needs. Grandma Reddy was a little gruff on the outside but had a tender heart on the inside. She made Thelma her favorite foods, she bathed her, she shielded her from hurt, and she loved Thelma best by simply staying by her side until the Lord called her home. Thelma’s father, John, also loved Thelma with all of his heart. The feeling was mutual. Thelma deeply loved her dad. After a long day of work on the dairy, he would get on the floor and play with her every night. He’d manage to even turn painful physical therapy exercises into a game riddled with sheer laughter. The driving passion of his life was to provide for her even after he had passed. He envisioned a home for Thelma and others like her that would function like a family; a place that would be like a light piercing the darkness; a home that would be full of love and tender care and Bible teaching. Despite many setbacks, he pressed on in faith and by God’s grace alone, he helped to start Salem Christian Homes.

Salem now serves just over 100 residents, one of which has been Thelma for the last 30 years. Thelma’s siblings have continued to care for her alongside of Salem’s staff. Thelma’s brother, John Schoneveld Jr., called her weekly until he went home to be with the Lord. Thelma would light up at just the sound of his voice. Thelma’s sisters, Harriet teVelde and Loretta Scheenstra, frequently visited her. Loretta now serves on the Salem board and she has honored her parents, her siblings, and her God so well as she has persisted in faithful care for Thelma. She made the trip to Southern California often, bearing gifts of fresh fruit for Thelma’s house and presents of clothes and toys for her to unwrap. More importantly, Loretta has enjoyed spending countless hours with Thelma. Thelma was easy to love and be around. The staff at Salem has become like family to Thelma as well, selflessly loving her as one of their own, just as Thelma’s father toiled and prayed for. Thelma’s family is grateful beyond words for the dignity, care and affection that the wonderful people of Salem have bestowed on her over the years.

Without a doubt, Thelma has been well-loved but she also has loved well in return. Thelma loved hard. She laughed hard. She hugged even harder. Some might use the word “beating” to describe her version of affection but she left no doubt in your mind that she was so happy to see you—as long as you didn’t mess with the contents of her purse. In true Schoneveld fashion, she had an undeniable feisty streak; Thelma was so much fun. She had a high level of understanding and despite being nonverbal, she spoke volumes through her eyes, sounds, and motions. She took great joy in the simplest of pleasures: her purse full of toys, undressing and redressing baby dolls, burping and rocking those dolls, animals of all sorts but especially cows and her dog Silver, long rides in the car, playing catch with great nieces and nephews, chewy candies that made her fake teeth squeak, french fries, In-N-Out cheeseburgers, and even rain. Rain caused her to burst out in laughter. And more than any of these things, Thelma truly knew and loved people.

Thelma exuded a contagious joy and a peaceful contentment that surpassed understanding and in that has left an indelible impact on all who had the immense pleasure of knowing and loving her. Thelma’s life was a precious gift from God that he used to beautifully reflect His character. Her sudden departure has left many of us heart broken, but we rejoice in our confidence that she is safe and whole in the arms of Jesus and we eagerly await our eternal reunion. While her earthly father was preparing a wonderful home for her here, her heavenly father was preparing a perfect home for her in heaven. We rejoice that Thelma is now truly home.

Left behind to cherish Thelma’s memory are her sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and Steve Scheenstra, along with their children and grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Lori Schoneveld, along with her children and grandchildren; and all of Thelma’s many other teVelde nieces and nephews. She is also lovingly remembered by all of her Salem family. Thelma is preceded in death by her parents, John and Henrietta Schoneveld; her brother, John Schoneveld Jr.; and her sister and brother-in-law, Harriet and Bern teVelde; and her niece, Leslie Schoneveld.

A celebration of Thelma’s life will be held at CrossPoint Church in Chino, California on Tuesday, August 20 at 2pm. Memorial gifts in recognition of Thelma’s life can be made to The Salem Foundation. Donations can be mailed to Salem Christian Homes, 6921 Edison Ave Chino, CA 91710; or they can be made online at www.salemchristianhomes.org. Please designate The Salem Foundation as the recipient in the “comments” section of the form.