The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Thelma M. Minkler

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Grafton – Thelma M. Burdick Minkler, 79, formerly of Route 2, Grafton, NY, died early Sunday morning, January 24, 2010, surrounded by her loving family at St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy, NY. She had been a resident of Van Rensselaer Manor for the past six months.
Born in Grafton on September 11, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Edna Vars Burdick. She was the loving wife of the late Charles W. Minkler, Sr. who died on October 31, 1985. They were married on September 25, 1948.
A lifelong resident of Grafton, Thelma was educated in Berlin schools and was a member of the Grafton Baptist Church. She was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. Thelma was a member of the Grafton Senior Citizens and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Grafton VFW. She loved to take long rides, play bingo, shop, go to Foxwoods and spend time with her special grandson Eddie.
Survivors include her daughters and their spouses Sandra E. and William Kennedy of Buskirk, NY, Dale A. and Jim Goyer and Debra L. and Ed Fredricks all of Grafton, her son, Charles W. Minkler, Jr. and his wife Cynthia of Petersburgh, and a brother, Stanton Burdick of Grafton, along with 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by siblings, Alston and Freeman Burdick, Marion Vars and Arley and Lloyd Schemerhorn.
Thelma’s family would like to thank the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital and the staff of the Van Rensselaer Manor for the care and love shown toward their mother, grandmother and sister. Your kindness and compassion will not be forgotten!
Funeral services were on Tuesday evening, January 26, at 7 o’clock in the Grafton Baptist Church, Owens Road, Grafton. Spring burial will take place in the Pleasant Valley-Meadowlawn Cemetery on Hewitt Road in Petersburgh.
Relatives and friends were invited to the Church for visitation on Tuesday starting at 4 pm until the start of the service. Memorial contributions would be appreciated and should be given to the Grafton Rescue Squad. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home.