Sylvester Thelen Portland, Michigan Obituary

Sylvester Thelen

Age 88, passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 13, 1916 in Westphalia the son of Joseph and Theresa (Rademacher) Thelen. He lived his entire life in Westphalia. Mr. Thelen served on the the Westphalia School Board for 20 years and the Pewamo-Westphalia Board of Education during the consolidation of the two districts. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia, the St. Joseph Society, and the Catholic Order of Forresters, having served in several offices in the local court, 16 years on the state court, 4 years as its State Chief Ranger. In 1964 he was employed by the High Court as Organizer and served until his retirement on February 1, 1981. On April 25, 1939 he married Irene Wieber to this union were born 1 daughter, Elaine Fox, 5 sons, Michael (Pat) Thelen, Charles (Sue) Thelen, Steve (Mary Lou) Thelen, Alan (Mary) Thelen, and Luke Thelen; 21 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; brother Norman Thelen. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irene, son-in-law, Gerald Fox; 4 brothers, John, Henry, Walter, and Raymond, 4 sisters, Louise, Pauline, Mary and Rose and several sister and brother-in-laws. On November 23, 1985 he married Esther Bedenbender, she passed away on February 14, 2003. surviving are 1 stepson, Jack (Nancy) Bedenbender, 7 step daughters, Patricia (Francis) Leik, Jan Maxwell, Betty (Joe) Peters, Nancy (Gary) Schrauben, Susan (Jon) Arendsen, Debi Bedenbender, and Sheila (Steve) Kemp; numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren; 2 brothers-in-law Arnold Nurenburg and Edwin Schueller. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Cecilio Reyna, Pastor, Sylvester's brother-in-law, Fr. Donald Wieber and Msgr. Sylvester Fedewa at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 4, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia with Rite of Committal following at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia Street, Westphalia from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Rosaries will be prayed at 3 and 8 p.m. both days. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Fr. Al Miller Trust Fund, The Ark or Hospice of Clinton Co. in memory of Mr. Thelen. Arrangements are entrusted to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland. On Line Condolences may be made at www.schraubenlehman.com
January 13, 1916 - December 1, 200401/13/191612/01/2004
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Obituary

Age 88, passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at home surrounded by his family. He was born on January 13, 1916 in Westphalia the son of Joseph and Theresa (Rademacher) Thelen. He lived his entire life in Westphalia. Mr. Thelen served on the the Westphalia School Board for 20 years and the Pewamo-Westphalia Board of Education during the consolidation of the two districts. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Westphalia, the St. Joseph Society, and the Catholic Order of Forresters, having served in several offices in the local court, 16 years on the state court, 4 years as its State Chief Ranger. In 1964 he was employed by the High Court as Organizer and served until his retirement on February 1, 1981. On April 25, 1939 he married Irene Wieber to this union were born 1 daughter, Elaine Fox, 5 sons, Michael (Pat) Thelen, Charles (Sue) Thelen, Steve (Mary Lou) Thelen, Alan (Mary) Thelen, and Luke Thelen; 21 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; brother Norman Thelen. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irene, son-in-law, Gerald Fox; 4 brothers, John, Henry, Walter, and Raymond, 4 sisters, Louise, Pauline, Mary and Rose and several sister and brother-in-laws. On November 23, 1985 he married Esther Bedenbender, she passed away on February 14, 2003. surviving are 1 stepson, Jack (Nancy) Bedenbender, 7 step daughters, Patricia (Francis) Leik, Jan Maxwell, Betty (Joe) Peters, Nancy (Gary) Schrauben, Susan (Jon) Arendsen, Debi Bedenbender, and Sheila (Steve) Kemp; numerous step grandchildren and great grandchildren; 2 brothers-in-law Arnold Nurenburg and Edwin Schueller. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Cecilio Reyna, Pastor, Sylvester's brother-in-law, Fr. Donald Wieber and Msgr. Sylvester Fedewa at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 4, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Westphalia with Rite of Committal following at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the St. Mary's Funeral Chapel, 210 N. Westphalia Street, Westphalia from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Rosaries will be prayed at 3 and 8 p.m. both days. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Fr. Al Miller Trust Fund, The Ark or Hospice of Clinton Co. in memory of Mr. Thelen. Arrangements are entrusted to the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland. On Line Condolences may be made at www.schraubenlehman.com

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