Thelma Jean Sobieski, 98, of Kendallville, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 29, 2024, where she will be reunited with her husband, son, and many relatives and friends. Her last days were spent in hospice care.

Thelma was born on a little farm near Monroeville, Indiana on Christmas Eve 1925, to Nelson A. and Emma M. (O'Bryant) Veit.

Her family eventually settled in Kendallville where she attended school and graduated from Kendallville High School in 1944. Her first job, in 1943, while still in high school, was at the A&P Store, where she met the love of her life, William L. Sobieski, Sr. They were married in 1947. Sadly, she lost her husband in 1977, to cancer and always remarked she could never replace him.

She has lived in Kendallville and also Avilla, Hicksville, Ohio, Defiance, Ohio, and Jackson, Michigan. Besides being a homemaker, wife, and mother, she also worked at the J.C. Penney store in Kendallville.

She loved spending time with family, neighbors, and her many friends. She also liked cooking, gardening, knitting, crocheting, reading, doing word search, trips to the casino, and bingo. But it was the time she spent with her two children and seven grandchildren that brought her the most joy. Thelma was a faithful member of Mitchell Street Methodist Church and Wayne Center United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Pat (Mike) Young of Kendallville; a daughter-in-law, Janis Sobieski of Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren, Matt (Tonya) Sobieski of Fort Wayne, Shane Sobieski of Jackson, Michigan, Lori (Shawn) Bahr of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lisa (Jason) Gulick of Kendallville, Ryan Sobieski of Roundup, Montana, Nick (Jamie) Sobieski of Garrett, and Brian (Nicole) Young of Corunna; 18 great-grandchildren, Jessica Sobieski, Brandon Durnell, Alexia Durnell, Dani Kemerly, Clayton Sobieski, Shelby Sobieski, Cameron and Olivia Bahr, Mason and Nolan Gulick, Nick Page, Sydney (Jonathan) Parrott, Logan Sobieski, Sarah Curry, Jason Curry, Lillie Sobieski, Hannah Sobieski, and Emma Sobieski; and five great great-grandchildren, Grayson Warstler, Norah Warstler, Reid Sobieski, Grayson Wayne Parrott, and Easton James Parrott.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, William L. Sobieski; three brothers, Clarence "Joe" Veit, Phillip Veit, and James Veit; and two sisters, Helen (Kennie) Haynes and Mabel Carunchia.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville.

The funeral service will be Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Ken Walker officiating.

Pallbearers will be Matt Sobieski, Shane Sobieski, Ryan Sobieski, Nick Sobieski, and Brian Young.

Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville.

Memorials may be directed to Wayne Center United Methodist Church.

View a video tribute after Thursday and share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com