Thelma M. Wheatley, 101, of Earleville, MD passed away peacefully at home on July 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family

Thelma was born on March 28, 1924, in Wilmington, DE to the late Walter Cleaver and Mini Achenbach Cleaver. She spent most of her childhood and younger years in Wilmington before moving to Cecil County.  She married the love of her life Eldridge "Bud" Wheatley in 1947 and together raised three children, moving to Earleville in 1967.  Over the years, Thelma worked for various organizations as a bookkeeper and secretary.  She worked DuPont, Dr. Obenshain's office and at Zion United Methodist Church where she was life member.  She would often take time between jobs to spend time with family and help watch and raise grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was always an active person who enjoyed the outdoors.  She enjoyed spending time in the garden and maintaining the yard.  She was an avid bowler and participated in many leagues over the years winning numerous trophies.  She also enjoyed knitting and needlepoint and every new grandchild received a homemade blanket.  As an active member of Zion Methodist Church, she would help with any church function and was often found in the kitchen cooking for church dinners.

Above all, family meant everything to Thelma.  She loved to cook for family gatherings, and every meal was an event.  She was famous for her potato salad and crab cakes, and no meal was complete without plenty of side dishes and multiple desserts.  She found joy in watching her family grow.  The summer trips to Wildwood, NJ were some of her favorite family memories.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years Eldridge "Bud" Wheatley, a daughter Susan Crofoot and three brothers, Charles Cleaver, Walter Cleaver and Howard Cleaver.

She is survived by her children Bruce Wheatley (Colleen) of Earleville, MD and Diane Woznicki (Richard) of Nocona TX; son in law Guy Crofoot; grandchildren Scot Riale, Dawn Northcutt, Crystal Ramirez, Ellen Orr, JR Sanders, Ryan Wheatley and Shannon Schmidt; 15 great grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on July 26 at 11 am in Gracelawn Memorial Park New Castle, DE.

Arrangements by Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech.