Thea was born in Tallinn, Estonia on June 1, 1930, to Ernst and Erna Pachelmann. As a young girl, and with the threat of war, the family moved and eventually settled in Berlin, Germany. After graduating from high school, Thea attended the Art and Fashion Institute earning a degree in fashion and illustration design. While working as a fashion illustrator, she agreed to a blind date and met Joe, the love of her life, her G.I. Joe. They married in Berlin and returned to the United States where she proudly became a United States citizen.
Thea was a loving and caring person. She had a feisty spirit and enjoyed spending time with her love ones. Thea was truly the heart of the family. She will be greatly missed by all and thought of often. We take comfort knowing she is, once again, with Joe, the true love of her life, and that they are both watching over us from above.
Thea is preceded in death by Joseph, her loving husband for 58 wonderful years.
She is survived by her three children, Gina DeVries and her husband Larry, Cheryl Minugh and her husband Wesley, and Joseph Giel, Jr. and wife Bev; six grandchildren, Tracy DeVries- Hipp, Taryn DeVries- Porter, Kevin Minugh, Keri Minugh, Amanda Giel and Joseph Giel, III; three great-grandchildren, Taylor and Madison Hipp and Rylee Porter. It is with sadness she was unable to greet her fourth great-grandchild thats due in February 2013; her brother-in- law James C. Giel; and three nieces.
Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, on Friday, August 31, 2012, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Scripture will be read at 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
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