Thelma Lewis

LIMA -- Thelma Viola Lewis, age 106, was called to her heavenly home on July 27, 2025. Thelma Viola Himelrigh was born September 30, 1918 to Charles and Harriet Himelrigh.

She was educated at Hayes Elementary (a one-room schoolhouse) and graduated from Clinton High School in Barberton, Ohio, in 1935. She began teaching at Clinton High School while pursuing her associate degree at Kent State University. On June 15, 1942, she married Gordon Lewis.

In 1954, Thelma taught at Shawnee Elementary School in Lima, Ohio. In 1964, she earned her bachelor's degree from Ohio Northern University. Thelma continued to teach at Shawnee until her retirement in 1990. After retirement, she volunteered at St. Rita's Medical Center and Shawnee Manor for over 16 years. In keeping with her lifelong passion for education, she chose to donate her body to University of Toledo Medical and contribute to the understanding of the human body for generations.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Harriet; her husband, Gordon; and her siblings, William and Pauline. She is survived by her children, Dick (Jan) Lewis and Diane (Denny) Lewis; her grandchildren, Angela (Bart) Gallup, Eric (April) Lewis, and April (Travis) Jackson; and her great-grandchildren, Bryce and Cody Lewis, Seth and Cole Gallup, and Ava, Tyler, and Maccoy Jackson.

A private ceremony will be held by the family.