Thelma May Holland (LaLonde) went home to be with the Lord Friday, September 21, 2018. She was born May 22,1919 in Oscoda, Michigan to Oliver and Agnes LaLonde, the third of six children. She graduated in June,1937 from Oscoda High School,one of seventeen in her graduating class. She met and married William J. Holland while working at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, Michigan during the war. After the war, they stayed in Mt.Clemens where her husband Bill worked as a fire fighter first then joined the Mt. Clemens Police Department. Thelma worked for the Macomb County Road Commission until retiring and moving back to Oscoda with Bill. They bought an adorable cabin in the woods where she split wood, had a large garden, canned everything, baked and made amazing meals to share with friends and neighbors. Being a life long Methodist, they joined the Wilber United Methodist Church where Thelma became very involved in many aspects of the church. She sang in in the choir, played piano for the choir and held many offices in UMW (United Methodist Women) and church counsel. Helping the church help others became her passion and love. She also was a true animal lover her entire life having many dogs and cats growing up along with cows,
chickens, turkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, plus an occasional fawn who lost it’s mother. Her dog Roxie was her special childhood friend who she would spend hours playing with while running through the woods. Roxie would greet her daily after school and watch for and guard her on her way home after late day school activities. After her husband’s death, she decided to move to Centerville to be closer to granddaughter Jennifer and daughter Cheryl. She spent many wonderful, happy years with her family and joined CUMC. There she joined UMW and again made wonderful friends who filled her life with happiness. She loved Sarah Circle, Prayer Shawl Ministry and of course making peanut brittle every fall to raise money for missions. She loved luncheons out each Sunday after church, most often at BobEvans with all her lady friends, Betty, Eadie, Jennie, Ruth, Ruthanne, Janet and Cheryl. Christmas circle luncheons at MCL Cafeteria were especially fun with longevity equal and sister in Christ Mary Lou White who teased Thelma that she was two months older than her and therefore could “boss her around.” A great time was had by all and loved by all! Thelma loved the Lord with all her heart and loved to witness her faith in Jesus by asking all she loved if they were “born again.” She wanted to make sure that they would be saved and spend eternity in heaven with God and Son Jesus. Thelma was preceded in death by Bill her husband of 42 years. Both older brothers and sisters. Gladys and Irene are also deceased. Her “special love,” granddaughter Jennifer Zappe Walton was also taken too soon at age twenty-nine in a terrible accident. It was a devastating loss for the entire family, especially for her husband Mark Walton of just two shot years. Thelma is survived by her children, William Marozas (Kathy) of Scottsdale,Az, Judy Holland,Aspen, Co, and Cheryl Zappe, Centerville,Oh.. sister
Millie (Lori) Snyder, Eagle,Id, ex son-in-law Jim Zappe, three step-grandsons, Chris (Jeannie), Mark (Janet), and Steve Zappe,.and grandson-in-law, Mark Walton. Special friend Travis Tripp, Aspen, Co who loved her dearly and helped immensely in her care. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Restoration Church Centerville (Centerville United Methodist Church), 63 E. Franklin St., Centerville, Ohio 45459. Visitation will be 10-11am with service to follow by Pastor Tony Miltenberger. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Thelma’s name to the church, the Humane Society of Dayton, 1661 Nicholas Road Dayton, Ohio 45417 or charity of your choice.
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