Thelma “Kathleen” Smelser Stavropulos was born to Belzora & Edward Smelser in Hot Springs, North Carolina on August 17, 1922. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Ophir (father of six nephews) her sister, Doretha Zimmer (owner of Virginia Farrell Career Beauty School & Career Girl Beauty Salons in Downriver Detroit) & Kathleen’s husband of 52 years, James Stavropulos.
Thelma graduated from Scircleville Indiana High School in 1940. She graduated from Huffer Beauty School in Frankfort, Ind. and remained a hairstylist and a cosmetologist instructor until she retired to care for her husband and sister until they passed in 2007 and 2009.
She was a member of the Lincoln 
Park Historical Society and the Lincoln Park and Wyandotte Senior Clubs as a worker and officer. Through the years, she was active in Lincoln Park Community, as belonging to the Community Council, Senior Club and Business & Professional Women’s Club and voted “Woman of the Year” at one time. She was also a member of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church and Royal Palm Beach Seniors Club.
She and her husband loved to bowl and play golf and traveled to visit friends in Florida often. She enjoyed sending cards to her friends and valued all of them. In her 98 years, she moved to Kissimmee, Florida to live with her nephew & wife, Edward Gale & Kathy Smelser. After Edward passed, she moved to Royal Palm Beach, Florida to live with another nephew & wife, William & Sheila Smelser. She had four other nephews Donald, the late Dale, the late Tom and Jim Smelser. She was blessed with such devoted relatives. Also, her husband’s nieces, Christie, Stefanie & Susan whom she loved very much.
Funeral Service:
Visitation will be 12-1 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort, Ind. The service will be 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Forest, Indiana. Memorial donations may be made to Trustbridge Hospice, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407. Out of respect for the health, safety, and comfort of all in attendance, guests will be expected to adhere to current CDC guidelines regarding appropriate social distancing and the wearing of masks. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com to leave a personal message with the family or send a Hug from Home.