Obituary of Thelma Marie Disterheft

Thelma M. (Britton) Disterheft, 90, of Dowagiac, peacefully passed away at Brookdale Senior Living on February 27, 2022. On July 3, 1931, Thelma was born to the late Charles and Bertha (Ibe) Britton in Niles, Michigan. Known to be very sweet and kind, Thelma was a perfect example of what it means to be genuine, loving, and selfless. Being the fourth born child out of five, she knew exactly what it meant to be patient and understanding. She grew up with all of her siblings and both of her parents, learning along the way what it meant to have a tight-knit family. Thelma was a determined woman; accomplishing goals, setting an example, and always wanting to help others. Thelma graduated high school knowing exactly what she wanted to do with her life. She would become a teacher and help children grow and learn. She started her career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. She taught for several years before marrying the love of her life, Herbert Disterheft, in 1958. The two started a beautiful family and Thelma took a break from teaching to raise her children. After her fifth child made it to elementary school, she decided to pick her teaching career back up. After going back to school and receiving her continued education, she gracefully found a job working for Dowagiac Public Schools. Children were her favorite, especially those in early elementary. Later, she was fortunate enough to have grandkids, and then great-grandkids as time went on. Being a grandma was something she cherished and took a lot of pride in. Before her husband passed away in 2016, the couple also enjoyed traveling with their fifth-wheel camper. Annual trips to the Mackinac Bridge, to Yellowstone National Park, and an occasional trip down to Florida all are memories that she cherished. The family would also enjoy packing up their station wagon and traveling as a family of seven when the kids were younger. Nothing was more important to Thelma than quality time spent. In her later years, she loved to socialize at church, and could also be found visiting at a friend’s house or helping a family member. Thelma was a beautiful, God-fearing, woman who did her best to do right by all those she cared for. Preceding Thelma in death are her parents, Charles and Bertha Britton; Herbert Disterheft, her husband of 57 years; one of her children, Dennis Disterheft; and three of her four siblings, Chuck Britton, Clarence Britton, and Chris Britton. Her surviving family members include her four children, Gary (Debbie) Disterheft, Larry (Diane) Disterheft, Judy (Jeff) Nickerson, and Patty (Jeff) Hippensteel; a daughter-in-law, Monica Disterheft; her brother, Clayton Britton; Seventeen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and many other family members, friends, and loved ones. A public visitation will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel (61453 M-51, Niles, MI 49120) on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service directly following at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Berrien Center Bible Church. 8830 M-140, Berrien Center, MI 49102 Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services.