WELLSVILLE - Thelma Rose McLain, 79, of Wellsville, formerly of Irondale, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at the Medical Center of Beaver.

She was born Jan. 13, 1930, in Irondale, a daughter of the late Merle and Edith (Garren) Starkey and was raised by her grandmother, Alice Starkey.

Thelma graduated from the Ohio Valley Business College and was a member of the Wellsville Church of the Nazarene.

She had worked at various occupations, including a finisher at the former TS&T pottery, a groomer at Rose's Pampered Pets, formerly in Wellsville, and had last worked as a patient attendant at East Liverpool City Hospital.

Thelma was preceded in death on June 5, 2005, by her husband, John E. McLain, whom she married Aug. 27, 1965; a brother, James Starkey, and an infant brother.

Survivors include two daughters, Deborah Ice and her husband Jerry, of East Liverpool, and Diana Ludwig of Jenkinstown, Pa.; one son, Robert Fickel and his wife Marsha of Salem; four sisters, Geraldine Peebles of Fremont, Calif., Mary Slack of Newton Falls, Ohio, Betty Evans of Kinsman, Ohio, Dorothy Senft of Canada; one brother, Frank Starkey of Champion, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held in Morning View Cemetery with Pastor Dirk Hall of the church officiating.

The Roberts Funeral Home, 631 Main St. in Wellsville, is in charge of the arrangements.