Thelma I Smith

Thelma was born October 11, 1922, in Decatur, Illinois,​ the daughter of George and Fern (Diveley) King. She married John William "Bill" Smith on April 8, 1945 in Bloomington. He survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Cheryl Salvato of Normal; Vicki (Mike) Kesler of Bloomington; and Connie (Greg) Montague of Normal; six grandchildren, David Lehmann of Middleton, WI; Trent (Kelsey) Weikle of Bloomington; Troy Weikle (Courtney Sparks) of Bloomington; Tracy Weikle (Scott McTaggart) of Bloomington; Melina Montague (Michael Kruse) of Tacoma, WA; and Alyssa Montague (David Decker) of Murphy, N.C.; six great-grandchildren, Drake Lehmann; Dawson Lehmann; Jada Weikle; Tamia Neal; Kylee Weikle; and Sydney Weikle; a brother, Fred (Colleen) King of Lamoille, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Joan, Doris, Helen, and Kathy; and a brother, Leroy; two son-in-laws, Robert Salvato and Thomas Weikle.

Thelma enjoyed playing bridge, reading and walking 5k races. She was a member of the Bloomington Junior Women’s Club. Thelma loved spending time in Kentucky and later in Florida during the winter months where she spent time fishing with her husband, Bill. For 30 years she worked as a bookkeeper at Jack Lewis Jewelers, where she gained her love for jewelry, until she retired in 1985. She loved spending time with family and friends. She was a great cook and loved hosting large family dinners. She was known for her famous pumpkin pie (exactly as on the back of a can of Libby's Pumpkin but change every ingredient), cloverleaf dinner rolls and peach cobbler (to name only a few things). She loved spending time with her grandkids and entertaining them by having tea parties where she played "Mrs. Ticklefeather". Bill was a great husband, and a wonderful caregiver as she battled with Lewy Body Dementia.

The family would like to thank the Advocate Hospice staff and the comfort angels for the wonderful care they gave Thelma. They also would like to thank Amber and Ali for their loving care.

Per Thelma’s wishes, cremation has been accorded. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be shared with the family at eastlawn-bloomington.com