Thelma Garrelts, 78, of Milford passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at the Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. She was born on December 21, 1947 in Watseka, a daughter of Philip Eugene and Mary Lou (Books) Pentecost and they preceded her in death in addition to one son, David Wayne Garrelts; one sister, Vickie (brother-in-law, Joe) Bachman; one step-daughter, Laura Mansfield; and one nephew, William Pentecost.
She is survived by her fiancé, Fred Wright of Milford; six siblings who all grew up in Milford, Phyllis (L.B.) McLaughlin, Dennis (the late Dolores) Pentecost, Richard (Becky) Pentecost, Cindy Pentecost-Cloutier, Troy Pentecost and Shelley (Brian) Meier; fourteen nieces and nephews; one step-son, John (Michelle) Wright of Urbana; four step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
Thelma was a member of the Milford Christian Church. She enjoyed making flower arrangements, crafts, cooking and baking. Thelma loved being a mother and grandmother.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the 12:00 p.m. funeral service on Monday, September 14, 2026 at the Knapp Funeral Home in Milford. Joe Hughes will officiate. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Milford.
Memorials may be made to Iroquois Memorial Hospice.
Please share a memory of Thelma at knappfuneralhomes.com.
