THELMA BLOOM

Thelma Bloom, age 91, of Columbia City, IN died at 9:26 a.m. on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Millers Merry Manor, Inc. in Columbia City. Born on September 27, 1916, she was the daughter of DeWitt and Laura Bennett.

She graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class in Louisiana in 1934, then went on to study nursing at the Nursing Training School of Charity Hospital in Shreveport, LA receiving her RN in 1938. On December 22, 1943 she married Benton W. Bloom at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church in Columbia City, IN. He preceded her in death on September 2, 1990. After she graduated from nurses training, she was a nurse for the US Army at Fort Bragg, NC. She not only took care of US soldiers wounded in battle, but also was responsible for training nurses to go overseas for combat duty. After her marriage, she dedicated her time to her family and was involved in several charitable organizations within Whitley County. She was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Gray Ladies of the American Red Cross and a member of Tri Kappa Sorority for over 30 years.

Survivors include her son Timothy (Beth) Bloom and daughter Michelle (Gary) Patton both of Columbia City; granddaughter, Jessica Patton and grandsons, Brad Patton and Patrick Bloom all of Columbia City; great-granddaughter, Vanessa Patton of Columbia City; sister-in-laws, Ruth Bennett of Bogalusa, LA and Jane Bloom of Bloomington, IN as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Benton W. Bloom, 2 brothers, Lestor and Adrian Bennett, and 2 sisters, Helen Wilson and Doris Trosclair.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 from 4-8 pm at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. the following day on February 20, 2008 with 1 hour of calling prior to service at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S. Line Street, Columbia City, IN with Father Larry Kramer officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Cemetery in Columbia City. Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Blooms memory to the Whitley County Community Foundation, Parkview Whitley Foundation or the donors choice of charity. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. To send a condolence or sign the guest register book please visit www.demoneygrimes.com .