Thelma L. Gillen, age 93, recently of Whitehouse and longtime resident of Swanton, peacefully passed away at Whitehouse Country Manor on October 25, 2016.  Thelma was born in Springfield Ohio on December 23, 1922.  On January 21, 1944 she married James Gillen.  Thelma was a homemaker most of her life.  Before moving to Whitehouse, Thelma attended Fulton Union Church in Delta.  Some of her fondest hobbies included word puzzles and word finds.  In addition to her parents and husband, James; Thelma was preceded in death by five brothers, three sisters, daughter, Roberta Hetrick and one grandson, William "Billy" Hetrick.  She is survived by her son, James (Marianne) Gillen; grandchildren, Diane (Larry) Crawford, Daniel (Jennifer) Gillen and Corrina (John) Hetrick-Dankert and great grandchildren.  Friends will be received on Monday, October 31, 2016 from 10:00 AM – 12 Noon at Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St Hwy 109 in Delta; where a funeral service honoring Thelma's life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday also at the funeral home.  Pastor Tom Bates will be officiating.  Interment will follow at East Swanton Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Whitehouse Fire Department and EMS.  A special thank you to the nurses from Senior Independence Hospice and the staff at Whitehouse Country Manor for all their care and support during Thelma's stay.  Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.

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