Thelma Johnson

Thelma R. Johnson, age 100

West Lafayette

Thelma passed into her Savior’s welcoming embrace on August 18, 2026, after living a life filled with family, friendship, and service. She was born on August 2, 1926, in Ashkum, Il to James and Kathryn Anderson. She started her education in a one-room school, graduated from Cullom High School, and then attended Illinois State Teachers College. She married Al Johnson, a dashing United States Army Air Force Major, on August 17, 1947, in a double ceremony with her sister Phyllis.  Thelma taught for several years while Al was finishing his degree at University of Illinois, and they then made Brookston, IN their home and lived there until 2004 when they moved to West Lafayette. Thelma stayed at home and raised her four sons until 1969 when she taught kindergarten for several years. Then she began working in Al’s growing real estate and insurance business until they both retired in 1986. 

Thelma was a woman of great faith and was a member of Brookston Federated Church until she moved to West Lafayette and joined Covenant Church. She was active in both churches serving bereavement meals, teaching VBS, participating in Bible studies and small groups. She was also a member of Psi Iota Xi sorority and PEO.

Thelma lived life enthusiastically and will be remembered for her unflagging devotion to her family, her love for her friends, her warm and generous hospitality, her energetic work ethic, her pies and cookies, and her listening and sympathetic ear. Her life could be summed up this way: Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can.

Surviving are four sons: Gregg (Marci), Billings, MT, Gary (Sharon), Moscow, ID, Tom (LeAnne), Lafayette, and Jim, Indianapolis. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren, all of whom she doted on and loved dearly. 

Preceding her in death were her husband Al, her sisters Carol Anderson, Barbara Callahan, Phyllis Wilkin, Eleanor Hoch, and her brother Paul Anderson. She is survived by her brother Glenn Anderson.

A memorial service for Thelma will be held at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home in Brookston, IN on August 29, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the service at 1:00. Private family interment in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider directing memorials to Frontier Elementary School Library.