Sandra "Sue" Thielman's Obituary
THIELMAN, Sandra “Sue,” age 87, of Springboro, Ohio, and formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Born in Converse, Indiana. Sue dedicated much of her life to education, family, community involvement, and lifelong learning.
Sue graduated from Marion High School in Indiana before earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She retired after more than 30 years in education, serving 26 years as a middle school teacher with Gull Lake Schools in Michigan before retiring in 1994. She remained a proud supporter of education throughout her life and was involved with both the National Education Association and the Gull Lake Education Association. Sue was very proud of her students and treasured the relationships and accomplishments she witnessed throughout her years as an educator, earning Excellence in Education and a Teacher of the Year from her peers at Gull Lake Middle School. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and had recently attended Southminster Presbyterian Church in Centerville, Ohio. She was deeply involved in many organizations and causes over the years, including the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Kalamazoo chapter: Lucinda Hinsdale Stone, where she held several committee chairs and was most proud of the five patriot ancestors, she was able to confirm. Sue was also a member of the Kalamazoo Garden Club, the Kalamazoo Ladies Library Association (LLA), the Scottish Society of Kalamazoo, and the Ellis Island Foundation. She was also a passionate advocate for children’s causes and, during retirement, volunteered as a tutor for at-risk students within the Kalamazoo School System. She also enjoyed supporting children’s museum, historical museums, and their causes. Sue additionally volunteered with the Gilmore International Piano Festival at Western Michigan University, where she served in several different roles over the years. Held only once every four years, the festival became something she greatly looked forward to.
Sue developed a love for reading as a child, and it remained a lifelong passion. She had a tremendous appreciation for history, travel, music, and the arts, especially American history and the Revolutionary War era. For more than 15 years, Sue, Leo, and their children spent nearly every summer traveling across the East Coast together for several weeks at a time, visiting national parks, historic landmarks, and educational destinations. Some summers focused on touring the South and Civil War sites, while others centered around Boston, Virginia, and the many locations connected to the American Revolution. These were subjects that fascinated Sue throughout her life. She later shared that love of history with her grandchildren, taking them to visit the hometowns and homes of all seven American presidents from Ohio and authors, artists, and fascinating architecture in the Midwest. These trips became even more appreciated and meaningful to the family over time. She also traveled extensively throughout Europe and especially loved the Netherlands, Germany, and many of the northern European countries. Later in life, Sue and Leo developed a cherished tradition of spending winters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for nearly a decade to enjoy the snowless winter and being close to family. In the fall, they often traveled throughout the Northeastern United States, especially Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, enjoying the changing leaves and scenic countryside. Another meaningful tradition in Sue’s life was traveling with her sister and friends to Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. For several consecutive years, Sue, Leo, and their friends would gather for educational and cultural programs focused on lifelong learning, philosophy, literature, history, and intellectual discussion featuring nationally known speakers, educators, public figures, and motivational presenters. Experiences that Sue deeply valued and greatly enjoyed. While in Chautauqua, Sue and her sister Janice became members of the Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle (CLSC) because of their love of reading and will always be memorialized with a special brick at the Alumni Hall.
Sue enjoyed flower gardening, painting, ceramics, folk art, tole painting, and playing the piano. She was an avid collector who especially loved angels, salt cellars, and her treasured collection of small handcrafted wooden historical buildings and landmarks gathered from historical cities and destinations throughout the country that Sue and her family visited. She proudly displayed and rotated the collections throughout her home based on different themes and regions, creating ever-changing displays that reflected her love of travel and history. Sue was proud of her Scottish heritage and her connection to the Hay Clan, known as the High Constables of Scotland. Her family remembers her as intelligent, gracious, community-minded, meticulous, deeply caring, and someone who always found good in people, no matter the circumstance. She was also a true people pleaser who found joy in making others feel appreciated. One of Sue’s most memorable traits was her thoughtful and meticulous handwritten thank-you cards. She carefully wrote notes for even the smallest gestures, whether thanking her grandchildren for visiting, family members for lunch outings, or friends for their kindness, something that humorously became both admired and joked about within the family because of the incredible detail and care she put into each one. Sue was also known for buying birthday and Christmas gifts far earlier than necessary, another endearing trademark that family members lovingly remember. She loved gathering with family and friends, especially around celebrations where her Texas sheet cake and peppermint ice cream became favorites.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, James Bernard Hays and Golden Lavina (née Puterbaugh) Hays; her brother, Jeffrey Thompson; and her sister, Ann Helm. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Leo A. Thielman; her children, Andrew (Nicole) Thielman and Hollyn (Jim) Thompson; her five grandchildren, James Nelson Thompson III, Hayden Francis Thielman, Grayson Hays Thielman, Lillian Rene Thompson, and Declan Murray Joseph Thielman; her two sisters, Margaret Mullenix and Janice Schrader; along with many extended family members and dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Conner & Koch Funeral Home in Bellbrook is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo at https://www.fpckzoo.org. Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.connerandkoch.com.
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