Marla Kaye Thorne-Weller

Marla Kaye Thorne-Weller of Evansville, IN passed away on March 25, 2024 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. Born in Randolph County, Indiana on September 23, 1941 to Steward and Edna (Love) Thorne, Marla graduated in Lynn (Indiana) High School’s class of 1959 and from Amber Beauty College in 1960, the United Methodist seminary in 1996, and Indiana University East in 1996.

Marla worked as a beautician from 1960 to 1963, Sears Department Store from 1964-1965, and Perfect Circle/Dana Corporation from 1968-1988. Marla entered active ministry in 1989, serving the United Methodist Church as a pastor in Whitewater and Middleboro, Indiana (1989-1992), Alford and White River Chapel (1992-1993), and Epworth (1993-2003). She was ordained a Deacon in the UMC in 1996. She also established the Evansville Prayer Center in 2003 and served there until 2018.

Marla provided support to her community as a 4-H instructor, a member of the Webster Indiana United Methodist Church, the board of the Salvation Army of Wayne County (Indiana) in 1994 and was a founder of the Rodney Gilmore Foundation. She was awarded the United Methodist Church’s Harry Denman Evangelism Award, the highest non-professional award given to lay persons.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; husband, Bruce Weller; brothers, Harold Thorne, Richard Thorne, and Paul Thorne; sisters, Virginia Gaines, Betty Reece, and Jean White; son-in-law, Mike Johnson; stepson, David Weller; and close friend Donald Woolsey.

Marla is survived by sister, Rita Mowery; brother, Larry Thorne; daughters, Victoria ‘Vikki’ Johnson, Laura (Richard) Behney, and Anne (Perry) Gentry; grandchildren, Ryan Johnson and Evan Johnson, Nick Behney, Riley Behney, and Mallory Kaye Behney, and Adam Cantrell and Madison Cantrell; step-daughters, Christy Farris and Michele DeLaet; step-grandchildren, Adam and Nick DeLaet, and Ethan Farris, Damon Weller; great-grandchildren, Ben and Elena Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Sharon Woolsey, Rashella Woods, Jane Brown, and Judy Liddle.

Funeral Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Alexander East Chapel officiated by Pastor Steve Ary. Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home. A Private Graveside Service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Gathering Church, 121 Walnut Street, Evansville, Indiana 47708.

Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.