Thelma J. Armstrong

Thelma J. Armstrong, 75, of Uhrichsville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 while surrounded by her loving family in New Philadelphia. Born October 1, 1937 in Dennison, she was a daughter of the late Alvin and Laura Catherine (Schumacher) Haas.

Thelma was the Salutatorian of Dennison High School’s class of 1955 before attending Evangel College. On November 17, 1956, she married Robert M. Armstrong with whom she enjoyed nearly thirty years of marriage until his passing on October 29, 1985. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, she worked for City Loan and Savings in the 50’s as well as being the payroll clerk at Evans Clay. Since 1978, Thelma, along with her husband, was the owner and proprietor of Pangrazio’s Pizza which she operated with her family. A longtime member of Dennison Foursquare Gospel Church, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and served as a member of the church council for a number of years. She also attended the Bethel Worship Center in Uhrichsville. Thelma was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and will be remembered as a devoted Brownies leader from when her daughters were young.

Thelma’s surviving family includes two sons, Robert A. (Susie) Armstrong of Clearwater, Fla. and James D. (Michele) Armstrong of Dennison; two daughters, Sharon L. (Mark) Nichelson of Vero Beach, Fla. and Susan A. (James) Sexton of Dennison; sixteen grandchildren, Robert “Rob” Armstrong, Rachel Catapano, Arminda (Chris) Russell, Shaina Armstrong, Jacob Armstrong, Sarah Armstrong, Dustin (Heather) Armstrong, Alisha (Bryan) Mahaffey, Jessica Armstrong, Derek(Kelly) Nichelson, Morgan (Paul) Ceravolo, Jared Nichelson, Lauren Nichelson, Aaron Nichelson, Melinda (Ulises) Espinoza and Steven Sexton; three great-grandchildren, Noah Catapano, Alaina Armstrong and Isla Nichelson; siblings, Betty Cady, Alvin “Bimbo” (Kathryn) Haas Jr., Robert E. (Catherine) Haas, James D. (Edith) Haas and E. Joan (Frank) Devore; sister-in-law, Roberta Guithues; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Pauline Hodkinson and Wilma Rapport; and half brothers, Walter and Donald Stewart.

Services for Thelma, officiated by Pastor Dan Milburn, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21, in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison. Interment will be beside her beloved husband in Uhrichsville’s Union Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Those wishing to honor her memory by a charitable contribution are encouraged to do so to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.