Thelma Marie Plunkett

Thelma Marie Plunkett, 80, of Peoria, went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 2:30 am at Heritage Health in Chillicothe. She was born June 26, 1941 in Wayne County, a daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Florence (Chalcraft) Smith. Thelma married Robert D. Woods on April 22, 1961 in Ellery. He preceded her in death on March 25, 1982 in Peoria. She later married Ronald J. Plunkett on August 10, 1990 in Washington. He preceded her in death on March 6, 2010 in Peoria.

Thelma was also preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Evalyn (Crackel) Smith; one brother, Richard Smith; two sisters, Mary Jean Bunnage and Evalyn Wilkinson; and one sister-in-law, Marjorie Perkins.

She is survived by her three children, Bill (Missy) Woods of Ladoga, IN, Sue (Craig) Ivey of Glasford and Tom (Patty) Woods of Brookston, IN; five step-children, David (Barb) Plunkett of Bartonville, Mike (Cathy) Plunkett of Peoria, Marcia (Scott) Beneventi of Peoria, Steve (Kris) Plunkett of North Pekin, and Greg (Diane) Plunkett of Thornton, CO; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; one sister, Lois (David) Fewkes; one brother-in-law, James Bunnage; three sister-in-laws; Nancy Utley, Jean Virtue, and Alice Emrick; several nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Thelma started her nursing career in 1961 at Methodist Hospital, working until her children arrived. Then she went back to work as a home health nurse at the Peoria Health Department, where she worked for 10 years. Thelma then went on to be the nurse epidemiologist at Proctor Hospital until she retired in 2006.

She was a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and a long-time member of the Highview Christian Church in Washington.

Thelma’s visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday, November 22, 2021 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. An additional visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Nale’s Funeral Home in Albion. Thelma’s funeral service will be at 10:00 am Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Nale’s Funeral Home in Albion. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Albion.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

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