Thelma L. Harper

LA GRANGE, Mo. -- Thelma L. Harper, 88, of LaGrange, passed into the loving arms of her Saviour at 5:35 p.m. Friday (May 27, 2011) in Blessing Hospital, Quincy, Ill.

She was born Nov. 12, 1922, west of LaGrange, a daughter of August Herman and Alda Wolfmeyer Spilker. Thelma married Ralph Hungerford on May 21, 1941. To this union were born two daughters, Judith Elaine and Carolyn Sue. On Sept. 28, 1951, Thelma and Julian Reynolds Harper were married in Canton. He died July 29, 1990.

Thelma was a 1941 graduate of LaGrange High School, a past president of the American Legion Auxiliary, a member of a local Extension Club and an active member of the local OATS organization. She served as the vice chair of the OATS County Committee and was one of the community contact persons for those needing transportation on the OATS bus. In 2007, Thelma was selected as the OATS Volunteer of the Year.

Thelma was a longtime member of LaGrange United Methodist Church, participated in the Women's Society of Christian Service group and quilted regularly with the ladies quilting circle until her health prevented her from taking part.

As a homemaker, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, quilting, reading, nurturing flowers, and raising and selling fruits and vegetables with her husband. Many of those handiwork skills were taught to her by her grandmother when she lived with her grandmother in the winter months so that she could go to school in LaGrange.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Judy Pascoe and husband Lewis of Greenville, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Phillip Pascoe and wife Franny of Indianapolis, Ind., Scott Pascoe and wife Kim of Avon, Ind., Lori Shulik and husband Greg of Easley, S.C., Fritz Frieden of LaGrange, Michelle Howard and husband Raymond of Sorento, Ill., Kathi Frieden of Springfield, Ill., Dolly Lowery and husband Paul of LaGrange and Willis Horton of LaGrange; 11 great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; a cousin, Paul "Buddy" Smith of California; and sons-in-law Charles Horton of LaGrange and Fred Frieden of Canton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Charles William Spilker; a daughter, Carolyn Frieden Horton; and a grandson, Kelly Charles Horton.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday in the Davis Funeral Home, LaGrange, with the Rev. Steve Martin conducting. Burial will be in Mark's Cemetery, LaGrange.

VISITATION: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with family present after 6 p.m.

MEMORIALS: LaGrange United Methodist Church or the Kelly Horton Memorial Fund, in care of the Davis Funeral Home, LaGrange.

ARRANGEMENTS: Davis Funeral Home, LaGrange.

WEBSITE: www.davis-fh.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.