Thelma I. Eby

Thelma I. (Bixler) Eby age 90, moved to her heavenly home on May20, 2015 after a brief illness. She was born in 1924 to the late Herbert and Arta Bixler. In 1944 she married the love of her life, Willard Eby. Together they shared 58 years of love and commitment while raising a family and serving the Lord. Thelma was a 60 year member of Faith Community Church (formerly Christian Tabernacle) where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Department Chair person and Superintendent of the Sunday School program. She and Bill helped to form a senior group at the church called the Happy Hearts. Through many activities and bits trips they formed wonderful friendships and many happy memories. In retirement, they were able to spend the winters in Sebring, Florida. Once again they found a community of friends to share their lives with that enriched their retirement years far more than they could have imagined. She was a retired homemaker who was famous for her made from scratch pies and rolls. She loved to read and faithfully read her Bible every day. She lived true to her motto -Faith, Family, and Friends. She was also a member of the Walkers Club and participated in many groups and activities at Mayfield Manor where she lived for the past twelve years.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Paul, Clifford, and William; sisters, Garnet and Dorothy. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law Wilma and James Pettay of Canton, Cynthia Eby of Canton, grandsons and spouses Dr. James and Kim Pettay of Sharon Center and Jeffrey Pettay of Massillon, great grand children Alma and Jackson Pettay of Massillon and Austin and Mason Pettay of Sharon Center, her brother Dalton (Cynthia) Bixler of Dover, Ohio, and many special nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the nurses, aides, and staff at Astoria for the compassionate care she received during her stay and Crossroads Hospice for their care and support as she completed her earthly journey.
Calling hours will be Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Faith Community Church from 10 am until 11:30 am The funeral service will follow.
Burial will take place at Sunset Hills.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Faith Community Church or any charity of choice in Thelma's name.
“Mom- You were a “firecracker” all of your life and now heaven has a little more spark and light since you are there. You influenced many people during your life as a teacher and mentor to hundreds of people who witnessed your love of God in your every day living.
But your biggest influence was on family who benefited from your love and daily prayers for each of us. You were called a “prayer warrior” because when you prayed you believed God would answer your prayers. Now you will not have to pray out loud or with a fervor- you can just lean over and whisper in His ear and know that He will answer.