Thelma Spainhower

Thelma M. Spainhower

Thelma May Spainhower 90, of Kirksville passed away Saturday, March 14, 2015, at the Twin Pines Adult Care Center in Kirksville, MO.

The daughter of John William and Myrtle Francis (Petree) Craig, Thelma was born January 24, 1925 in St. Clair, MO. On March 21, 1951 in Kirksville, MO she was united in marriage to John Spainhower who preceded her in death on October 3, 2000.

Also preceding her in death were her parents and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Craig.

Thelma is survived by her daughter, Suzy Thompson and husband, Walt of Macon, MO; her son, Craig Spainhower of Turner, OR; one brother, Jim Craig of McMinnville, OR and one granddaughter, Carly Kuenzi of Turner, OR and one great granddaughter, Reese Kuenzi also of Tuner, OR., along with many nieces and nephews.

Thelma graduated from the St. Clair High School in 1942. She attended the University of Missouri graduating in 1946 with a degree in Education, major in mathematics. While at the university she was active in the Independent Women’s Organization, serving as President for one year and played on the volleyball team. Her first teaching job was in Deadwood, South Dakota. From 1947-49 she taught at Jefferson Jr. High in Columbia, MO. 1949-50 taught at Keating Jr. High in Pueblo, CO. Summer of 1950 she came home to Kirksville and got a job working for John Spainhower at a girl’s playground behind Greenwood School. Fall, 1950 went back to Pueblo, CO and came home for Christmas and got engaged to John. In 1952 Thelma was hired as the Algebra teacher at the Kirksville Junior High School and taught Algebra until 1986 when she and John retired.

Thelma was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville; Missouri State Teachers Association and served for several years on the Twin Pines Adult Care Center Board of Directors. She was always in the bleachers at the high school sporting events and loved by many friends and students. She and John were inducted into the KHS Hall of Fame.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Don Noble officiating. Burial will be in the Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville, MO

Pallbearers will be William Matthew, Patrick Williams, Andy Jackson, Bobby Killday, Jeff Mikel and Greg Pfeiffer. Honorary bearers will be Shag Grossnickle, Paulie Schmitz and Ron Miller.

Visitation with the family will be from 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, until the time of the service at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

Memorials are suggested to the Kirksville High School Athletic Department.