Thelma L. Gothard , age 96, of Stockton, IL passed away on January 4, 2017 at The Christian Village Nursing Home in Lincoln, IL. She was born on October 22, 1920 in Kent, IL to the late William and Anna Belle (Miner) Willis. Thelma married Clifford Gothard on June 21, 1946 in Rockford, IL. He died on May 25, 2014.

Thelma received her GED in 1972. She was a member of the Stockton Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Thelma and Clifford owned and operated the Stockton Bakery and The Cozy Café. She enjoyed gardening, painting, cooking, baking, traveling and spending winters in New Mexico.

She is survived by three daughters, Louise Flannery of Phoenix, AZ, Dawn Gothard of Roan Mountain, TN, and Dianne Rosine of Lincoln, IL; grandchildren, Michelle (Eric) Behymer, Jennifer (Eric) Wernet, Robin (Zybra) Nicholson, Sgt. Anna (Chris) Leverenz, Sean (Jennifer) Henry, Bryan (Elizabeth) Henry, Matthew Henry, Virginia Henry, Miles Eberle and Alyson (Andrew) Forsythe; great grandchildren, Alexandor Nicholson, Joseph Wernet, Marco Nicholson, Gabrielle Nicholson, Miranda Nicholson, Athyn Nicholson, Daniel Grosvenor, Nora Henry and Leon Henry.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Anna Belle; husband, Clifford; great grandchild, Orin Clifford Henry; three sisters and four brothers.