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1931
2014
Hilma Rehard Thomas
COSHOCTON: Hilma Rehard Thomas, age 82, of Coshocton, passed away early Saturday, June 07, 2014.
A daughter of the late Roger and Ethel Bowers Rehard. Hilma was born October 06th, 1931 in Isleta, Ohio.
She graduated West Lafayette High School, 1949 and would further her education at Bluffton College, later to receive a BA in Education at Muskingum College.
In June of 1951, Hilma married the love of her life…a young man from Newcomerstown Ohio, William Lee Thomas. Together they would have 3 children. William would precede Hilma in death by 45 years.
Hilma's legacy as a teacher was to mold and influence the lives of many children in the Coshocton School System. Her passion was her ability to make a difference in people's lives. She was very patriotic, a Daughter of the American Revolution and a member of Trirosis. Other activities include Junior Women's Club, Bridge Club and Chicago's Junior League.
She had an active interest in the history of Coshocton County, genealogy and was an avid collector of antiques.
But most importantly Hilma loved all things family.
She will be missed by her 3 children, William (Kathrine) Thomas and their children (William, Krisanne and Lauren) of Oakland, Mich., Teri Gilfilen and Alan Willes of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and her children (Andrea and Michael) and their father Dennis Gilfilen, Brent (Andree) Thomas and their children ( Anne, Sara & Samantha) of Coshocto, and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Clayton (Katherine) Rehard of Cincinnati, and sister-in-law Kathleen (Phil) Thomas Steffen of New Philadelphia. She is survived by one brother Dale (Molly) Rehard of Charlotte, Mich and sister-in-law Carole Thomas Cornell of Coshocton.
She was well read and had a classic sense of style and will be greatly missed.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Given Dawson.
The funeral service will be held at Isleta Church on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 11:00 am with Pastor Kathy Powers, Rev. Jonathan Carlisle, and Rev. Robert Millspaugh officiating.
Burial will follow at West Lawn Cemetery, Shady Bend, Ohio.
Calling hours will be from 4:00-7:00 on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at Given-Dawson Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Johnson Humerickhouse Museum due to Hilma's passion of the Arts and History.
An online memorial can be viewed at www.given-dawsonfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Miss Thomas..my grade school teacher and a dang good one to... rest in peace and ty for making me who i am today...you will be remebered
wayne hale
June 16, 2014
Hilda was in Autumn Extended Care when our mother was there for physical therapy, she was so nice to us and she told us if there was anything she could help us with to let her know-so nice from someone we just met!
Brent, I think I worked with you at The Colony on Main Street many years ago, you were in High School working part time-I am so sorry for you loss!
Nancy and Sandy(Darr) Nelson
June 16, 2014
Mrs. Thomas was my 5th grade teacher at the CMS. Even though I was not her best student, she remembered me years later when I graduated from High School. She just happened to attend my graduation, and I bumped into her afterward. She remembered me, and she told me to contact her if there was anything she could do to help me in my future life. She was one of a kind, and will be truly missed.
June 14, 2014
When I worked at the library, I always enjoyed Hilma's pleasant and friendly manner.
Linda Yoder
June 14, 2014
Hilma Thomas was a super grand neigbhor that we enjoyed for many many years and we shared many many things for a long long time and we will sure miss our friend and neigbhor Hilma. Rest in Peace.....
Bob & Eileen Euton
June 12, 2014
Bill,Teri and Brent,
Condolences on the loss of your Mother
Betty and I were life-long friends and will miss her very much. We were old
"Shady Bend" friends.
Bill and Betty Elliott
June 12, 2014
So sorry to hear this. Mrs. Thomas was my fifth grade teacher and I really liked her. The world has lost a special person. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Abbe Donley
June 11, 2014
Very sorry of Hilma's passing. She rode the same school bus as I and was always friendly and smiling. I remember her as being very active in high school. She was very attractive (a participant in the high school Queen's Court) and also a great lady!
Jessie (Summers) Marlatt-Russell
June 11, 2014
So sorry to hear of Hilma's passing. She was a great lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gwen & Tom Lang
June 11, 2014
My condolences to the family. Hilma was my favorite teacher. I always told her how beautiful she was a true lady with a beautiful heart. We always discussed our families and of course Isleta my home too.
Paul Gardner and Lisa Gardner Graye
Paul Gardner
June 11, 2014
I also am 82 and we were in school together, she was a cheerleader. She treated everyone the same, as if we were special. I don't think she ever had anyone that disliked her. We've lost a friend and God gained a lovely angel.
June Miller
June 10, 2014
Dear Thomas family, Sorry to hear of the passing of Hilma. She was such a kind educated teacher. She kept our son Shawn so interested in Art History that he majored in it at OU. Keeping your family in our Prayers!
Love the Coffman family
June 10, 2014
Thomas Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed visiting with Hilma and going over her menue with her.I will miss stopping by her room and wishing her a good day and the smile I always got when I left. God Bless Your Family. Lynn Lauvray
June 10, 2014
Thomas Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed stopping and talking to Hilma about her menues and just wishing her a good day. I will miss the visits and smiles. God Bless your Family. Lynn Lauvray
June 10, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mrs. Thomas. I was just one of the thousands of children that she taught over the years. She was "one in a million" and will be greatly missed!!
Kristi Kempf
June 10, 2014
What a classy lady. She attended many of my auctions over the years. She will be missed by many. She touched so many lives.
Terry Longsworth
June 9, 2014
I'm so honored to have had this remarkable woman be one of my educators. I saw her just this passed year and I got the pleasure of introducing my son to her. Even after so many years had passed she knew me and asked about my brother and my parents! What an incredible mind and she still didn't have a hair out of place!! Just Stunning every time you saw her! Truly Heaven got one wonderful Angel!
Thinking of you, Sam and your family!
Heather, Bryan, Brice, Logan & Cooper George
Heather George
June 9, 2014
what a sweet lady. RIP you will be missed by many
debbie mccoy
June 9, 2014
To the family of Mrs. Thomas. You have my sympathy for losing such a precious Lady! She was more than a teacher, she showed compassion, insight, and gave us her gifts to use and to grow with. When she spoke to me when I was a little awkward girl, she saw pass the ragged and mended clothing I often wore. Mrs. Thomas helped me over-step the imaginary boundary of self-conscientiousness to become the woman I am today. Thank you Mrs. Thomas for helping me and countless others too. She had a big wonderful heart laced with lot's of humor. When I first stepped into her classroom, I was struck by her beauty and by how tall she was. But it was her inner beauty that shined the most. Mrs. Thomas was in a class all her own. Thank you to her family for sharing her with so many of us. From a former student, Dolly (Thomas) Fitch
Dolly Fitch
June 9, 2014
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
June 9, 2014
Hilma was a fine lady and it was an honor to have known her.Thoughts and
prayers are with all of you.
Pat Bowen
June 9, 2014
Dear Terri and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will never forget when Hilma called to console me when Dave passed away, she understood the pain and her advice, listening and compassion helped. Your Mother will be a woman who will be remembered for her caring, grace and class.
My Love to you
Fay Crater
June 9, 2014
So sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother. Our thoughts and prayers of with you.l
Ed and Polly Scherer
June 9, 2014
To the Thomas Family we send our heartfelt prayers and condolences.
Jack and Maribeth Lynch
Jack and Maribeth Lynch
June 9, 2014
Hilma will truly be missed.Ialways enjoyed seeing her when she came in to my office {state farm}what a lady
sandy jennings
June 9, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hilma was a special lady...always immaculate, pleasant, and a joy to talk with.
The John V Wiandt family
June 9, 2014
God Bless.
Hilma & Lori Wright & Laney Hostetler
June 9, 2014
I had Mrs. Thomas almost 20 years ago as 5th grade teacher @ Lincoln Elementary. She was a great teacher and had so much passion for teaching. She will be sadly missed.
kendra kempf-langdon
June 9, 2014
What a wonderful woman she was who touched so many lives. Her children had the best mother any could ever have. She will be missed.
Mike & Peggy Bowman
June 9, 2014
Brent and families, my prayers and sympathies. So sorry to read of your mother's passing. She had such passion for teaching and was a positive influence on so many. My daughters always said she was their favorite teacher. They looked forward every year to stopping on Halloween to see her and show her how their children had grown. A wonderful lady will be missed so much. God Bless.
Jeff Storms
June 9, 2014
What a wonderful tribute to a special lady that I have known all of my 51 years of life...Tell Uncle Bill & WET (Gramps) that we miss them. Until I see you again. xoxxoxoxox
Tara Westfall-Dolick
June 9, 2014
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