M. Thelma Meador, 94, formerly of Ironwood Drive, Niles, died at 2:15 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2010 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness.

She was born on Nov. 10, 1915 in Talcott, W.Va., to Robert Lee and Sarah Elizabeth Nettie (Wiseman) Thompson. She graduated from high school in Hinton, W.Va. and has lived in Niles since 1941, coming from South Bend.

Mrs. Meador had been a member of Bertrand Bible Church in Niles since 1943 where she had a special interest in Bible classes for children. She was also a member of the Women’s Missionary Fellowship, and organized and published newsletters for the church. She used her journalism skills to write for the South Bend Tribune’s Michiana Magazine, and her autobiography, “That Girl from West Virginia.”

On May 30, 1934 in Huntington, W. Va., she married Thomas Howard Meador, Sr. who preceded her in death on July 7, 1991.  She was also preceded in death by a son, Ronald Kent Meador in 1995.

Surviving family includes their children, Thomas H. (Bonnie) Meador, Jr. of Niles, William Robert Meador of Ontanagon, Mich., Marilee (Larry) Jolliff, Terrie Lynn (Robert) Kemble, Toni Rae Grisham and Andrea Jo (Mark) Anderson, all of Niles; 29 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Pauline Wiseman Brown and brother, Earl A. Thompson, both of Niles; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service for M. Thelma Meador will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2010 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with the Rev. Tony Slagle of Bertrand Bible Church officiating. Committal will follow at the Bertrand Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Meador may be made to Bertrand Bible Church.