Thelma F Mettlach

September 3, 1929 – August 30, 2012

Thelma Bindel was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico to William and Mary Boes Bildel. She was one of seven children; Dorothy Bindel, Mary Jo Halfen, Madelyn Ferguson, Wilma Richards, Herb Bindel and Agnes Pehl. She attended boarding school in Silver City, New Mexico. After high school graduation, she met and married Louis Mettlach. They resided in Edinburgh, Texas and had nine children; Elaine, Evelyn, Frank, Mary, Robert, Lorraine, Karen, Diane and Rose. Thelma worked as a school secretary for twenty five years. She was a devout Catholic.

After retiring, Thelma moved to the Houston area and became intensely involved with Saint Simon and Jude Church. She studied and became a Franciscan of the Third Order, a secular church member who is ordained to spread the gospel and do good works in the community. She was very proud of this accomplishment.

Six years ago, Thelma began showing signs of memory loss and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. When living by herself became unsafe, she moved to an assisted living residence at Terrace of The Woodlands and was there for a few years. As the disease progressed, she entered their Memory Care Unit. Thelma eventually moved to Galveston to be closer to her daughters. She suffered a stroke on August 28th and died two days later.

Thelma is preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband Louis Mettlach, Sister Dorothy who was an Urseline nun and worked in Peru for many years, her sister Agnes and her grandson Matthew.

She is survived by five of her siblings, her nine children, many grand and great grandchildren. Thelma Bindel Mettlach lived a full and rich life. She will be remembered and missed.

In lieu of flowers, friends who are interested can make a donation to:

Alzheimer’s Association of Houston

2242 W. Holcombe Blvd.

Houston, TX 77030

800-272-3900 or 713-314-1313

Donations are accepted by mail or phone