Thelma Louise Hartley , 80, of South Whitley, formerly of Barbee Lake, died peacefully in the company of family at 6:18 a.m. Monday, December 25, 2023, at her home.

Born on March 2, 1943, in Vincennes, Indiana, she was the first of 17 children born to Leonard T. and Hazel Marie (Ray) Farmer.  She attended St Mary's Catholic School in Anderson, later earning a GED.

On September 5, 1970, she married Marvin Lee Hartley.  The couple made their first home in Anderson.  Moving between Indiana and Florida, the couple bought a house at Barbee Lake in 1985.  Marvin died on July 18, 2017.  In 2020, Thelma moved to South Whitley.

In addition to being a homemaker, she worked at Dekko in North Webster for ten years.

Living at the lake, she enjoyed boating and fishing.  She liked painting ceramics and a spirited card game.  She kept her mind sharp by working on puzzles.

Surviving are her children, Larry R. Bowen of Anderson, Tammy L. (Darrell) Meyerink of South Whitley, David S. (Holli) Hartley of Bonita Springs, FL, step-children, James L. (Candy) Hartley of Muncie and Chad M. (Deborah) Hartley of Fort Wayne; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and seven sister and five brothers.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Eugene Farmer, one stepson Robert Paul Hartley, three brothers, and one sister.

The funeral service is at 4 p.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, with visitation from 1 p.m. until the service.

Memorials in Thelma's honor are to the Michael J Fox Parkinsons Foundation.