Obituaries
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
died on Saturday, June 19, 2010 following a battle with Pneumonia.
She was born May 5, 1910 in Timberlake, KS to Dennis and Minnie (O’
Neal) Moran. She attended Weir Grade School and graduated from
Weir High School as Valedictorian of her class. Thelma then attended
what is now Pittsburg State University and graduated in 1932 with a
Lifetime Teaching Certificate.
Following graduation, Thelma taught one year, then decided teaching
was not for her. She began to pursue her dream of being an
entrepreneur, opening Billy’s Cafe in Wichita, KS. After several years in
operation, the Wichita Better Business Bureau recognized her as an
Outstanding Disabled Business Leader, recognizing her commitment to
the community and success in overcoming polio. After 40 years owning
and operating the up-town restaurant, she and husband John Hamilton
retired and traveled. They settled in Great Bend, KS.
Thelma was an active member of the Methodist Church and volunteered
her time helping Cancer victims and their families. She was a member of
the Weir Kent Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star for 82 years, receiving
a 50-year pin in 1978 and 75-year certificate in 2003.
Thelma is survived by her daughter Judith Caputo (Louis) of Frontenac.
She is also survived by four grandchildren, Melisa Caputo Norton
(Brian), Hugoton, KS, Carla Caputo Searcy (Darren), Charlotte, NC,
Benjamin Henderson (Veronica), Austin, TX and Judy Henderson Potts
(James), Pittsburg, KS. Great-grandchildren are Mariah Ramsey,
Miranda Ramsey, Amanda Henderson, Hannah Henderson, Caleb
Norton and Eli Henderson.
She is also survived by nieces Kay Moran, Bolivar, MO, Joan Jeal (Alex),
Troy, IL, Sue Combs (Tom), Golden City, MO, Marsha Merando (Steve-
deceased), Frontenac, KS. Nephews are Ray Hudson (Kenna),
Oronogo, MO, Richard Hudson (Rita), Pittsburg, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Hamilton,
a daughter, Helen Marie (Henderson) Forbes, two sisters, Helen Hudson
and Amy Moran and four brothers, Arthur “Tick”, Edward “Eddie”, William
“Bill” and Earnest Moran.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 23 at Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main Street, Weir, KS with Father Larry
Parker and Father Tom Stroot officiating. Burial will follow in Hosey Hill
Cemetery, Weir, KS. Eastern Star Rites will be conducted at the Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home by Kent Chapter at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 22.
The family will receive friends immediately following until 8:00 p.m.
Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.
The family suggests memorials be made to the charity of your choice.
We would like to thank all of the staff at Sunset Manor for their endless
dedication and enduring support and Dr. Gellender and Dr. Orender.
She was born May 5, 1910 in Timberlake, KS to Dennis and Minnie (O’
Neal) Moran. She attended Weir Grade School and graduated from
Weir High School as Valedictorian of her class. Thelma then attended
what is now Pittsburg State University and graduated in 1932 with a
Lifetime Teaching Certificate.
Following graduation, Thelma taught one year, then decided teaching
was not for her. She began to pursue her dream of being an
entrepreneur, opening Billy’s Cafe in Wichita, KS. After several years in
operation, the Wichita Better Business Bureau recognized her as an
Outstanding Disabled Business Leader, recognizing her commitment to
the community and success in overcoming polio. After 40 years owning
and operating the up-town restaurant, she and husband John Hamilton
retired and traveled. They settled in Great Bend, KS.
Thelma was an active member of the Methodist Church and volunteered
her time helping Cancer victims and their families. She was a member of
the Weir Kent Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star for 82 years, receiving
a 50-year pin in 1978 and 75-year certificate in 2003.
Thelma is survived by her daughter Judith Caputo (Louis) of Frontenac.
She is also survived by four grandchildren, Melisa Caputo Norton
(Brian), Hugoton, KS, Carla Caputo Searcy (Darren), Charlotte, NC,
Benjamin Henderson (Veronica), Austin, TX and Judy Henderson Potts
(James), Pittsburg, KS. Great-grandchildren are Mariah Ramsey,
Miranda Ramsey, Amanda Henderson, Hannah Henderson, Caleb
Norton and Eli Henderson.
She is also survived by nieces Kay Moran, Bolivar, MO, Joan Jeal (Alex),
Troy, IL, Sue Combs (Tom), Golden City, MO, Marsha Merando (Steve-
deceased), Frontenac, KS. Nephews are Ray Hudson (Kenna),
Oronogo, MO, Richard Hudson (Rita), Pittsburg, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John Hamilton,
a daughter, Helen Marie (Henderson) Forbes, two sisters, Helen Hudson
and Amy Moran and four brothers, Arthur “Tick”, Edward “Eddie”, William
“Bill” and Earnest Moran.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 23 at Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main Street, Weir, KS with Father Larry
Parker and Father Tom Stroot officiating. Burial will follow in Hosey Hill
Cemetery, Weir, KS. Eastern Star Rites will be conducted at the Bath-
Naylor Funeral Home by Kent Chapter at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 22.
The family will receive friends immediately following until 8:00 p.m.
Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com.
The family suggests memorials be made to the charity of your choice.
We would like to thank all of the staff at Sunset Manor for their endless
dedication and enduring support and Dr. Gellender and Dr. Orender.
© Bath-Naylor Inc. 2010
