Thelma Lucille TenHuisen Heil, 86, of 8170 Brownell Road, Clymer, N.Y., died peacefully at 12:10 p.m., Sunday, March 25, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Nov. 27, 1931, at her parents’ home on Brownell Road, a daughter of the late Clifford and Mabel Damcott TenHuisen.
Thelma graduated from Clymer Central School in 1949, matriculated at Grove City College, and then transferred to Fredonia State Teachers College, from which she graduated in 1953. She went on to earn a Master of Education degree from Edinboro State College in 1973.
Thelma married John Herman Heil, originally from Sibley, Iowa, on June 10, 1952. John had accompanied his older sister and her husband, a minister, to Clymer in the summer of 1948, after he graduated from high school that year. Thelma was the first person he met upon arriving in Clymer, when he stopped in at the drug store where she was working, as he needed to buy a toothbrush. That is also where he later asked Thelma for a first date with small candy hearts that said “Want a date?” and “Say yes!”
Thelma loved her family, and had a great interest in exploring not only her family’s genealogy, but also its history. During her research, she helped many others explore and discover their families’ genealogies. Deep down, she probably also wanted to be an architect, but that was not a common career path for women in the early-1950s. As an outlet for her drafting urges, she not only drew up many remodeling plans for her family’s home, but for many other people as well. Thelma liked gardening and produced many beautiful landscapes around her home. Although gardening became difficult in her later years, she still liked to get out on her lawn tractor and mow the lawn. Perhaps that was a nod to her family’s farming roots. Since Thelma wanted to be able to help provide for her family, yet stay close to her home and loved ones, she became a teacher, which is how most former pupils fondly remember her. Many of those students have attested to enjoying the way she helped them learn. She will also be remembered for her sharp wit and good sense of humor. Thelma was a lifelong member of the Abbe Reformed Church, in Clymer.
She is survived by her three sons: Dr. John R. (Angie) Heil of Lynn Haven, Fla., and Daniel (Dottie) Heil and Eric Heil, of Clymer, N.Y.; five grandchildren: Ashley (Marcus) Bailey of Bemus Point, Nick Heil (fiance, Meghan Carney) of Corry, Pa., and Justin, Andrew and Libby Heil, all of Clymer; three stepgrandchildren: Nathan (Sarah) Babcock and Tyler Babcock of French Creek, N.Y., and Adrienne (Rey) Tajon of Rochester, N.Y.; and two stepgreat-grandchildren: Hunter and Jackson Babcock of French Creek, N.Y. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, John Nyweide (friend, Pat Eimers), of Clymer; sister-in- law, Josie TenHuisen of Wilmington, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John; her sister, Margaret Nyweide; her brother, Paul TenHuisen; and her infant brother, Maurice TenHuisen. Thelma, her sister and brother, and their spouses lived as friends and neighbors until the end. She was also preceded in death by her husband’s seven older sisters and their spouses.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at the Spitzer Funeral Home, 8728 E. Main St., Clymer, and from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Abbe Reformed Church in Clymer, with a funeral service to follow at11:30 a.m., with the Rev. Noah Livingston, pastor of Abbe Church, officiating. Burial will be at the Holland Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Clymer Volunteer Fire Department, 8756 W. Main St., P.O. Box 31, Clymer, NY 14724 or the 5 & 2 Ministry, P.O. Box 152, Clymer, N.Y. 14724 (5and2ministry@gmail. com).
Thelma is burid in the Holland Cemetery, Clymer, NY
Thelma is burid in the Holland Cemetery, Clymer, NY
Documents related to Thelma Heil:
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| Holland Cemetery, Clymer, NY |
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| Holland Cemetery, Clymer, NY |
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| Holland Cemetery, Clymer, NY |
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| Holland Cemetery, Clymer, NY |
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| Abbe Reformed Church, Clymer, NY |