Thelma Ann Crader

Thelma Ann Crader, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great -grandmother and cherished community member, passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the age of 89. Born May 1, 1936, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Thelma's life was meaningful, colorful, and filled with love for her family, friends, and community.

Thelma married the love of her life, Gordon A. Crader, in Corinth, Mississippi on March 25, 1955. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary among family and friends. Together, they built a beautiful family and life in Thornville, Ohio. Thelma is survived by her devoted husband, Gordon; their son, Roger "Lee" (Melody) Crader; daughters, Mitzi Shafer and Christine (Rich) Hoffer; grandchildren, Charlie (Michelle), Jessica (Calvin), Brian (Mallory), Noah (Lindsey), and Nate; and great-grandchildren, Autumn, Adi, Avery, Cash, Peri, Veda, and Dia. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Thelma, first and foremost, wanted to be remembered as being a devoted mother to her three children. She was a young homemaker with a love for books and an entrepreneurial spirit. In the early 1960’s, she founded Lakeland Books, a successful rare and antique mail order bookstore, from the basement of their Fairfield Beach home, with her three children as her first employees. She later sold her book business to pursue flipping houses with Gordon. Their final “flip” was the restoration a beautiful, historic log cabin located on Route 188 at the southern edge of Thornville.

Thelma inherited an artistic spirit from her mother and later in life became an excellent painter and member of the Perry Painters. There, she developed lifelong friendships with like-minded ladies who shared her love of art, gardening, travel, and history. Through her involvement with the Perry County Historical Society, she significantly contributed to the preservation of local history as a contributing author, editor, and publisher of The History of Thornville, The History of Perry County, and The Pioneers of Perry County. An excellent writer and genealogical researcher, she later wrote and self-published several family histories.

There were two accomplishments in Thelma’s life that she was especially proud of: Her graduation from Columbus State University, and being honored, along with her husband Gordon, as the Grand Marshalls of the 2019 Thornville Fourth of July Parade. Her intense curiosity of people and places led her to travel across the globe as far east as Ireland and as far west as Hawaii, exploring every possible beach, flower garden, and historical marker along the way.

Thelma touched many lives with her kindness, creativity, and zest for life. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Thelma is preceded in death by her parents, Russell Galloway and Inez Galloway (Griffin); brother, James Galloway; sister, Isabel Sidwell; and son-in-law, Chuck Shafer.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff at Altercare Thornville, as well as Thelma and Gordon’s long-time in-home caregiver, Katie Bowshier.

A memorial service celebrating Thelma's extraordinary life will take place at South Shore Ministries, 8335 Township Road 391, Thornville, OH, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. with Reverend Doug Lynn officiating.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions in her memory to the Perry County Library to continue her legacy of love for reading and learning. Flowers may be received at South Shore Ministries on Saturday, May 17th.

The Thornville chapel of Hoskinson Funeral and Cremation Service is honored to care for Thelma and her family.