Obituary

Thelma Wheeler Wilkinson, 96, of Lavalette, WV, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House of Huntington.  Funeral service will be conducted 2 PM, Monday, June 1, 2009  at Beard Mortuary with Rev. Jack Lipphardt officiating.  Entombment will follow at Ridgelawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Huntington.  She was born April 10, 1913 in Fort Gay, WV, a daughter of the late Frank and Effie Wheeler.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Renick E. Wilkinson; two brothers, Jack Wheeler and “Brandy” Wheeler; four sisters, Kathryn Barker, Mabel New, Grace Mosser, and Goldie Snyder.  She is survived by her son, Charles “Ed” Wilkinson of Huntington; her daughter, Nancy (Ralph) Rhodus of Lexington, KY; sister, Marguerite Williams of Ellicott City, MD, and several nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Wilkinson was a retired teacher from Monroe Elementary School and  a member of Johnson Memorial Methodist Church.  In her latter years she had also been attending Florence Memorial Methodist Church.  Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2 PM, on Monday,  prior to the service at Beard Mortuary.  The family wishes to extend special thanks to her caregivers, Holly Winkler and Jamie Dempsey, and a sincere gratitude to Cora Lykins for her love, support, and assistance with the caregivers.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House, 3100 Staunton Road, Huntington, WV  25702.