Thelma Finzer Huff

Thelma Fae Huff, 84, of Dover went to be with our Lord on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 at Union Hospital surrounded by her loving children.

She was born in Sugarcreek on March 26, 1925 to Ed and Edith (Menges) Finzer.

Thelma lived a very full life. After graduating from Sugarcreek, she was "Rosey the Riveter" in Canton during the war making airplanes. In 1945, she married her lifetime companion of 61 yrs, Donald Clayton Huff. Together they built their home in Dover and resided there together until Donald's death November 15, 2006.

Thelma loved volunteering. She was very active in her children's activities such as PTA, Booster Clubs, Girl Scouts, and many others. Her community services included Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, and she was an active participant of the many Senior Citizen Center activities and programs.

Along her way, she worked at Union Hospital, Alsco, Belden Brick and driving school bus. She especially enjoyed the students at Starlight School and loved to make them laugh. Wherever she worked you could always count on her to liven things up.

As proprietor of "Thelma's Last Chance", her passion for unique collectibles, quilts, and garage sale treasures were evident throughout the store.

Thelma had a true appreciation for all of The Arts! While in high school, she played the flute in the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra and continued supporting and enjoying their concerts throughout her life. She also sang in the St. John's U.C.C. choir, Sweet Adeline's, and various quartets. She enjoyed singing and fellowship at the Indian Meadows Church of God where she worshiped.

Being very creative, she exhibited her sewing, quilting, and soft sculptures in craft shows in various states promoted by her daughters Barb and Donna, owners of Huff Promotions.

Inspired by her love of cats, she helped start Cats-N-Us. She spent endless hours volunteering and fundraising. Two of her rescued cats, Fred and Barbie, were her constant companions in her last years.

She loved to travel any time and anywhere. If Thelma was there, it was an "Adventure!!!!" Some of her favorites included: Europe, Elderhostel Camps, bus tours, and the annual family trip to Michigan. For 40 plus years, she loved attending Women's Camp on Lake Piedmont.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Ayers, brothers, Vernon and Howard Finzer and sisters, Gladys Myers and Mabel Craigo.

She will be fondly remembered and missed by her children and their spouses, Linda and Howard Ladrach of Dover, Paul and Pandy Huff of Upper Arlington, OH, Sue and Dale Pleimann of Centerville, OH, and Barb and Mark Burch of North Canton, OH; Her grandchildren are Jon and Renee Ladrach, Mitch Ladrach all of Dover, Paul "PJ" Huff of Tokyo, Japan, Amanda and Kevin Forbush, Donald "Clay" Huff, and Marlin Ayers all of Columbus, and Jordan Ayers of Jackson Twp., OH. Step grandchildren Steve and Daphne Burch and Nick Burch of Canton, OH along with great grandchildren Logan, Madison, and Shelby Ladrach, and Nathan Forbush and step grandchildren, Sydney, Ben, and Cole Burch.

She is also survived by two sisters in law, Helen Gerbetz of New Philadelphia and Emma Wolfe of Michigan, and many nieces and nephews. "Aunt Thelma" was sincerely grateful for all the nieces and nephews that took their time to brighten her life, especially following the years after her husband's death.

In her spirit of giving and learning, Thelma's wish to donate her body to the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve has been fulfilled.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate in her memory can contribute to Cats-N-Us, The Tuscarawas Philharmonic, or pass on her way of life and give of yourself to make someone else's life better.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 2pm in the St. John's United Church of Christ, 409 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio. A celebration of her life will follow at the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center, 831 Boulevard, Dover. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 20 from 2-6pm in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover. Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry through the Toland-Herzig funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330 343-6132