Drescher

Thelma Ruth (Mitchell) Drescher, 85, formerly of Hannahstown Road, Jefferson Center, passed away on Feb. 17, 2007, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Dave Wilson.

Since suffering from a massive stroke in 2000, she made her home with them and their children: Benjamin, Elizabeth, Victoria and Abigail.

Born March 14, 1921, in Wilkinsburg, Pa., she was the eldest daughter of William C. and Ruth L. (Steffen) Mitchell. She attended Logan School and Penn Township High School. She married Henry C. Drescher on Aug. 9, 1938, and was his devoted wife until his death in September 1985. She was a wonderful homemaker, and a beloved mother and grandmother. Her beautiful smile was like a ray of sunshine.

Mrs. Drescher retired from the Dietary Department of the Butler Memorial Hospital. After retirement, she volunteered there for many years with the hospital auxiliary. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, reading, church work and spending time with her family. She was a member of the Jefferson Center Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon and belonged to the Brean Class.

She is survived by four daughters: Ruth Ann Leslie Callaghan and her husband, Patrick, of Haines City, Fla., Faith Elaine Drescher, Bonnie Jean Custead and her husband Douglas and Denise Wilson and her husband Dave, all of Butler. She has nine grandchildren: Lorene Rudolph of Saxonburg; Lee Kennedy, Kerry Leslie and his wife, Wendy, of Butler; Brett Unks and his wife, Meghan, of Madison, Wisc.; Ryan Unks of San Francisco, Calif.; and Benjamin, Elizabeth, Victoria and Abigail Wilson all of Butler. Her family also includes four great-grandchildren: Courtney Handte and her husband, Scott, of Easton, Md.; Brittney Rudolph, Nash and Dylan Leslie, all of Butler; two great-great grandsons: Kaden Handte and Skyler Rudolph, and two step-grandchildren: Kimberly (Scott) Custead Madden and Kurtis Custead of Pittsburgh. Two sisters, June Moore of Murrysville and Dorathy Farnen of Butler, one brother, James Mitchell of Lake Wales, Fla., and two dedicated caregivers Rene Selzer and Rosann Casey Rape also survive Thelma.

In addition to her husband, two brothers, Warren and Dale Mitchell, one sister, Elsie Dodds Heichel, and an infant daughter, Joan Marie, preceded her in death.

<B> DRESCHER </B>— Friends of Thelma Ruth Mitchell Drescher, who died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the <B>Fox Funeral Home</B>, 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg, where the funeral service will follow at 8 p.m.Burial will be in the Saxonburg Memorial Church Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jefferson Center Presbyterian Church, Frazier Road, Butler, PA 16002.Information also is available at www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.