Thelma A. Baxter

Thelma A. (Garber) Baxter, age 91, passed away Thursday, August 21, 2014, at Golden Living Western Reserve. Born in Ridgway, Pa., on February 13, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Jess and Gladys (Gimple) Garber.

Before retiring in 1986, she worked in the finishing department of Hammermill Paper Company, for over thirty years. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards, crossword and cryptoquip puzzles, watching baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves, and was a fan of Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, and the Statler Brothers. She was a former member of the Christian Women's Club.

In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by two sons, Kevin and Buddy Baxter, two sons-in-law, Lee Katchen, Sr., and Paul Pry, and four sisters, Lavonia Kriegel, Frances Anderson, Vivian McGraw, and Jean Maka.

Survivors include two daughters, JoAnne Katchen, of Erie, and Doris Pry, of Cranberry Township, Pa.; a son, Darin Baxter, wife Judy, of Erie; a daughter-in-law, Janelle Baxter, of Erie; eight grandchildren, Lee Katchen, Jr., Lindsay, Kelly and P.J. Pry, Brian Baxter, Kristen Glass, husband Roman, Kari Boyer, and Kody Baxter; two step-grandchildren, Tomi and Scorpio Soulsby; and four great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by a brother-in-law, Charles Maka, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street, at Greengarden Boulevard, and may attend a service there Monday at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Shane Thompson officiating. Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery.

Thelma's family would like to thank the entire staff at Golden Living Center and AseraCare Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion they extended to "Thelma B."

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Condolences and photos may be sent www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com.

Sign the Guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits