Thelma M. Farlow

Thelma M. Farlow, 90, of Olney died at 9:45 p.m. on March 31, 2011 at Burgin Manor, Olney. She was born August 11, 1920 in Crawford County, the daughter of Allen M. White & Iola Lula (Shaffer) White.She worked many jobs throughout her life. Thelma was a €œRosie Riveter€, working in Decatur during World War II. After the war, she continued working for different factories, producing shoes and garments. She also worked for Crawford Electronics, for the old Robinson Hospital, and as a home aid for Community Care Service. Thelma was well-known for writing a weekly column for the Lawrenceville newspaper describing Bridgeport news. She played washboard for The Ding-a-Lings, a local senior citizen band, and played in nursing homes throughout the community. Thelma enjoyed embroidery and painting, going as far as to winning prizes for some of her work. She also wrote several poems and hymns that were published. She was a 50-year member of the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport.Thelma was preceded in death by three husbands: George Radnour, Clifford Ezell and Ralph Farlow. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Leonard Allen White and Howard Lee White; her son, Leonard K. Ezell; and two great-grandchildren, Jaden Sloan and Clair Jordan Hawes.She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn Kay & Chuck Hawes, Olney; her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen & Geraldine (Geri) Ezell, Robinson; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Charles H. & Dawna Hawes, Olney, Heather & Robert Benson, Noble, Anthony & Jayne Hawes, Altamont, Elizabeth Ezell, Terre Haute, Jennifer & Jacob Newman, Oglesby, IL, Amanda & Michael Jones, Camargo, IL, and Jill Brown, Robinson; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; three brothers and sisters-in-law, John & Barbara White, Robinson, Terry & Donna White, Robinson, and Gary A. White, Robinson; as well as several nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson, Reif Donaldson officiating. Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery. There will be a visitation held from 9:00 a.m. until service-time at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport, with envelopes available at the funeral home.