Thelma Sowles

SOWLES- Thelma (Van Deusen) was born and raised in Harbor Springs, MI where she met her sweetheart at Jeweleretts Diner. It was love at first site. Eddie was smitten with Thelma's beauty which lead to 68 years together. They were married soon after WWII. For returning veterans, work was hard to find, requiring the necessity for mobility...to find jobs wherever available. They were thrilled to purchase their first home, an 18 foot trailer, so they could move from job to job. Thelma came to know Jesus as a young mother living in a trailer park. One of her neighbors shared the Gospel with her while doing laundry together, which Thelma received enthusiastically. When her husband, Ed, came home from work she shared with him and he received the "Good News" with great joy! Thelma taught Children's Church for 25 years at Berean Baptist Church in Flint, MI. Ed and Thelma raised 4 wonderful children, Cindy, Melanie, Kimberly and Timothy. In 1987, Ed and Thelma moved to Grand Rapids, MI where they attended Alpine Baptist Church. Thelma's favorite hobby was gardening. She had the most beautiful yard full of all types of flowers, and she worked in that garden until after her 90th birthday. Thelma went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, joining her beloved husband, Ed and their son Tim who preceded her into Glory in 2013. Thelma is survived by her three daughters; Cindy (Larry) Sheppard, Melanie (Bud) Kerr, Kimberly (Brian) Whalen; and daughter in law, Jane Sowles. Her grandchildren whom she loved so much, Kimberly (David), Jonathan, Nathan (Alysha), Amanda, Monica (Jay), and Hannah and her great grandchildren, Alex, Christopher, William, Haylee, Mackenzie and Nathan; her sisters, Madalon (Art) Keith, Pauline Hosler and brother, Paul VanDeusen. Thelma is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Eva VanDeusen; sister, Kathryn Reyner. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 22. The family will greet friends and relatives at 10 a.m., prior to the service at 11 a.m. which will be held at Alpine Baptist Church, 692 Seven Mile Road, NW, Comstock Park 49321. Memorial contributions may be sent to Alpine Baptist Church. To share a photo or memory and to sign the family's online guest book, please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thelma Caroline Sowles please visit our Sympathy Store.