Thelma Jean "T.J." Friday
Newton - Thelma Jean "T.J." Friday 86, died
peacefully in Newton on Thursday September 2, 2021 with her family by her side.
She was born August 5, 1935 in Marion, Kansas to Walter E. and Mary Edith
(Longhofer) Seibel. T.J. was a loving wife to three husbands who all preceded
her in death. Leo Edward (Bud) Rogers who died April 18, 1963; David Ray
Spellman who died January 7th 1981 and William E. "Bill" Friday who
died June 16, 2012.
T.J. was a woman of great faith and was a longtime active
member of several churches including, Huron Christian Church in South Dakota;
First Christian Church of Marysville, Kansas and Salem United Methodist Church
in Newton, Kansas. She taught Sunday school, VBS and often played piano and
organ for the church among other volunteer activities at the church.
During her working years T.J. worked for Boeing for 10 years
before she began working as secretary at the Dakota Christian Bible College;
Huron South Dakota High School and Marysville Elementary School where she
retired in 1997.
She was active in the League of Women Voters and Right to
Life. T.J. was known for being a very patriotic person and she greatly looked
forward to spending time with her loving family and many friends. Her love
extended to that of being a care giver to her husband Bill for several years
following a stroke.
She is survived by her son Shawn Spellman; daughter Cindy
(Larry) Branson; 6 grandchildren. T.J. is preceded in death by her parents; 3
husbands; and two brothers Maynard Powers and Glen Seibel
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 12, 2021
at Salem United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas. Visitation with the family
will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday September 11, 2021 at Petersen Funeral Home
Chapel. Graveside committal will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Sedgwick, Kansas.
Memorials are suggested to Salem United Methodist Church in
care of Petersen Funeral Home.
