Thelma J. (Fitzenrider) Bowers

Thelma J. (Fitzenrider) Bowers, 85, of Defiance, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, March 5, 2019 surrounded by her family at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born October 8, 1933 in Stryker, Ohio to the late Cula (Betts) and Henry Fitzenrider. She graduated from Stryker High School in 1951. On September 22, 1951 she married James H. Bowers, who preceded her in death on April 10, 2007.

Thelma was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. She enjoyed walking, reading, and watching and spoiling her great-grandchildren and attending their sporting events and birthday parties. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, where she volunteered for the noodle club.

Thelma is survived by her two sons and two daughters, Dennis (Joan) Bowers, Sharon Sobota, all of Defiance, Carol Frisinger of Perrysburg, and Gregory (Christina) Bowers of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is survived by nine grandchildren; Paul (Michelle) Bowers, Lisa (Chris) Maxwell, Sallyann (Craig) Miles, Daniel and Nathan Sobota, Rob (Shannon) Frisinger, Brittani (Brock) Lime, Matthew Cash, and Ethan Bowers, and twelve great-grandchildren; Aidan, Caselyn, Wesley, Luci, Lily, Trevor, Jackson, Elizabeth, Kameron, Kendall, Kylee, Kaelynn, with one on the way.

Also surviving are siblings, Paul (Ruth) Fitzenrider, Mary Marks, Joan (Leonard) Miller, and Denver Fitzenrider, a sister-in-law Helen Fitzenrider, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Michael Sobota, sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn (Roscoe) Barrons, and brothers, Ernest, Robert, Harry (Mae), Clinton (Wanda), James (Phyllis), and Richard Fitzenrider, and a sister-in-law, Norma Fitzenrider.

Visitation will be from 2-8 pm on Friday, March 8, 2019 at Schaffer Funeral Home, 529 Jefferson Avenue in Defiance. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Father Randy Giesige officiating. Entombment will follow the service at Riverview Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, plants, and stones, memorial gifts are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church, or CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.

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