Thelma Penrod

Thelma I. (May) Penrod, 89, of Monticello, Illinois, formerly of Sebring, Ohio, died at 5:03 AM Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at the Piatt County Nursing Home in Monticello. She was born April 9, 1922, in Ellsworth to frank and Lena (Kille) young. She married Regis C. May on April 27, 1943. They divorced in 1972, and he preceded her in death in 2005. Seven children were born of this marriage- four daughters, Esther Nixon, Mary Ann Buchanan (Terry), Melissa Valentine (Kirk), all of Monticello, IL and Marsha Cheek of Bement, IL; three sons, Thomas May (Janice) of Louisville, Richard May of Monticello, IL and Michael May (Debbie) of Champaign, IL. She moved to Decatur, IL and married Charles Penrod in 2001. He preceded her in death in 2008. A retired Deputy Clerk of the Mahoning County Circuit Court, Thelma was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, where she was active in the Altar & Rosary Society and taught Catechism. Thelma also worked as a waitress at both Sebring’s Pinecrest Bowling Alley, where she was known as the “donut maker”, and the Hippity Hop Restaurant. As a young mother of seven children, she enjoyed sewing and baking pies, which she sold to members of the church and community, and occasionally bartered for shoe repair. She loved playing cards with neighbors and church friends. Listening to country music and dancing were her passions, which she continued to do well into her 80s. Survivors include her seven children; 20 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; two sisters Mary Eshler of Berlin Center, and her twin Elma Iddings of Beloit; one brother, Paul Young of Texas; as well as two sisters-in-law, Lucy Young and Marlene Young, both of Berlin Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and three brothers, and two husbands. Services will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM at St. Ann Catholic Church in Sebring with Father Thomas Dyer officiating. Burial will be at Highland Memorial Park Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-7 PM. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home.

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