Thelma A Standiford

Thelma A. Standiford, 85, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

She was born on October 1, 1939, in Tipton County, Indiana, to the late James W. Weismiller and Clara A. (Beck) Weismiller.

Thelma was united in marriage to Ronald W. Standiford on January 27, 1962 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tipton, Indiana and he survives.

She was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. She was a former member of St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen during her tenure as a teacher at Wyneken Lutheran School.

Thelma graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College, River Forest, Illinois, where she received her teaching degree. Following the completion of her studies, she became a Lutheran School Teacher. Her first teaching assignment was at Trinity Lutheran School in Fort Wayne where she stayed for several years before moving to St. Paul Lutheran School-Preble. It was during this time at St. Paul, that the school merged with Zion-Friedheim and St. John-Bingen to form what today is known as Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School. She was a teacher at Wyneken for many years, where she taught Second Grade for almost her entire career. After her retirement, she returned to Wyneken and assisted for several years as a teacher’s aide.

During her summers away from teaching, the family spent quality time camping at West Otter Lake. Thelma and Ron spent a great deal of time traveling and camping throughout the United States whenever they had the opportunity. Upon their retirement, it was not unusual for them to leave for months before returning and being able to tell their family of the many locations they had visited. In her spare time, she enjoyed creating ceramic artwork which became a small side business of sorts. Some of her ceramic creations would be sought after as Christmas gifts in addition to her Hallmark Christmas Ornaments that she collected.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald W. Standiford of Fort Wayne, Indiana; son, Gary W. (Lisa) Standiford of Fort Wayne, Indiana; granddaughter, Kristin (fiancé Ben Lowe) Standiford of Hammond, Indiana; and sister-in-law, Linda Weismiller of Tipton, Indiana.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Paul F. and Harold W. Weismiller; and sister, Violet (Dale) Hensley.

Funeral services for Thelma will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4245 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, with a burial service to follow at Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Family and friends will be received from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur and from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Monday prior to the service at the church.

Preferred memorials can be given to Concordia Lutheran Church or Wyneken Lutheran School.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana