Thelma Mae Galyen

Bedford, Ind. - Thelma Mae Galyen, 93, formerly of Silverwood, Indiana for 47 years and a resident of Bedford since September 2001, passed away at 9:20 p.m. EST Friday, March 2, 2018 at StoneBridge Health Campus in Bedford.

She was born July 16, 1924 in Fairmount, Illinois, the 7th of 13 children born to the late Clifford and Ethel Banta Nichols.

Thelma married Russell Thomas Galyen on November 22, 1944 in Georgetown, Illinois, and to this union three children were born. He preceded her in death on September 30, 1985.

Survivors include: one daughter, Donna (Bob) Wakefield of Bedford, Indiana; two sons, Larry (Diana) Galyen of Johnson City, Tennessee and David (Paula) Galyen of Spring Creek, Nevada; 11 grandchildren, Tammy Galyen (David) Neal; Joni Galyen Norwood; Leanna Galyen (Kevin) Williams; Stephen Galyen (Johanna); Jonathan Galyen (Jenni); Rebekah Galyen; Benjamin Galyen; Brian Wakefield (Meg); Sara Wakefield (Keith) Brown; David Galyen, Jr. and Amy Galyen (Rob) Bunton; 23 great grandchildren; Andrew, Owen, and Molly Brown; Emma and Isabel Wakefield; Hailey Galyen; Caleb and Andrew Ford; Benjamin, Christian, and Nathaniel Neal; Christopher, Colin, Isaac, and Annette Norwood; Judah, Elijah, Mercy, and Charity Galyen; Dakota and Sierra Williams; Gabriel Muncy and Abigail O'Brien; 2 great-great grandchildren, Tainsley and Kellix Thun; one brother, Jimmie (Karen) Nichols of Ridge Farm, Illinois.

Thelma was preceded in death by seven sisters and four brothers.

Thelma was a homemaker. She was a 65 year member of the Waterman Baptist Church in Lodi, Indiana where she was an active volunteer in many church activities. Her special interest was Faithful Missionary Workers. Her favorite hobby was making favors for the missionaries to give as rewards. Thelma is remembered by her many grandchildren for making the best sugar cookies ever! For health reasons she moved to Bedford in 2001. While in Bedford, Thelma attended the First Baptist Church.

Funeral services: 1 p.m. EST Friday, March 9, 2018 at DeVerter Funeral Home in Cayuga, Indiana; Officiating: Larry Galyen; Burial: Georgetown Cemetery in Georgetown, Illinois; Visitation: 11 a.m. EST Friday, March 9, 2018 until time of services at the funeral home. The family request contributions to the Waterman Baptist Church, 8560 West State Road 234, Kingman, Indiana 47952 or to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, Illinois 60674.