Thelma Laker

Thelma L. Laker, 97, of Oakwood and formerly of Danville, died at 3:45am on Sunday, July 6, 2008 surrounded by her loving family. Thelma was born October 10, 1910 to Birch and Eliza (Kriebel) Lenning in Linton, Indiana. Thelma married Samuel R. Laker on June 23, 1934 at First Presbyterian Church in Danville, Illinois. Samuel preceded her on November 24, 1975. She is survived by five children; David (Sue) Laker of Philo, IL, Julia Demmin (Nancy Schroeder) of Amherst, MA, Stephen (Judy) Laker of Oakwood, IL, Stanley (Diana) Laker of Crown Point, IN and Mary Helen (Gordon) Skinner of Danville. Thelma is also survived by fifteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters, Doss, Theodore, Blanche, Ethel, Mildred, Lawrence, Clarence, and an infant sister. Thelma graduated from Lake View Hospital School of Nursing in 1931. She continued nursing for fifty years with most of them spent at Lake View Hospital. She retired in December of 1974, but she extended her RN career by working as volunteer in the Family Planning clinic at the Vermilion County Health Department. Thelma also actively supported several different national and Illinois nursing professional organizations and she was a proud and active participant in the Lake View Alumni Association for many years. She recently attended her 77th Alumni Association reunion and she could only remember missing 4 or 5 reunions since 1931. Thelma was also a member of Danvilles First Presbyterian Church for almost 80 years. She was as active member of the Rachel Circle and acted as the circles recording secretary for many years. When her children were young, she was a member of the Washington Grade School PTA. She was also a member of the Audubon Society and the Vermilion County Museum Society. She was also an avid gardener and a great admirer of flowers and gardens. Later in life, she also became a birdwatcher. Another of Thelmas great life interests was reading and she shared that interest with all of her children whom are blessed with a joy of reading. Thelma was also an avid fan of both Illini basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball. Thelma Laker was a loving, caring, and compassionate person who expressed a genuine interest and concern for everyone around her. Anyone who knew her felt the love and care she expressed. Family gatherings gave her great joy and they will not be the same without her, but we shall all persevere because she enjoyed a good, long life. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her, especially her loving family whom all received the benefit of her loving care. Memorial donations for Thelma can be made as follows: Lake View Alumni Association, % Martha Gerrib, 221 McKinley St., Westville, IL 61883, Danville First Presbyterian Church Landscape Foundation, or Danville Public Library. A celebration of life for Thelma L. Laker will be held at 11:00a.m. Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Franklin St., Danville; with Reverend Drs. Jimmy and Katie Hopper officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00pm Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion Street, Danville. Visitation will also be from 10:00-11:00am, one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday