Roberta Thelma Schramm, lovingly known as “Thelma,” 93, of St. Clairsville, OH, formerly of Wheeling, WV, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Wheeling Hospital. Thelma was born on January 21, 1933, in Knob Fork, Wetzel County, WV, and grew up on Petit’s Flat in Littleton, Wetzel County, WV. She was the oldest daughter of Harold Raymond and Nora Inez (Crane) Kirkpatrick. Thelma was a 1950 graduate of Hundred High School, Hundred, WV. She was a member of New Life United Methodist Church (formerly Thompson United Methodist Church), Wheeling Island, where she served on and chaired numerous committees, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School. Thelma was retired from Ogden Newspapers, where she worked in the circulation department. She was a lifetime member of Miriam Chapter #1 Order of the Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, The Women’s Club of Wheeling, and a former member of the White Shrine, Island Senior Citizens, and Island Garden Club. She served as Mother Advisor of Wheeling Assembly #13 Order of the Rainbow for Girls and was a member of the Grand Cross.
In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved husband James “Jimmy” L. Schramm; her sister Phylis R. (Kirkpatrick) Lavelle; brothers-in-law Paul M. Lavelle, John “Jack” Schneider, and William D. Schramm, Sr.; sisters-in-law Betty (Schramm) Schneider and Geraldine (Kalo) Schramm; niece Paula (Lavelle) Crawford; nephew Gregg Schramm, Sr.; and her friend James Nickerson.
She is survived by her son James K. (Cindy) Schramm; her daughter Sharon K. (Schramm) Perry; granddaughters Amanda K. (Perry) Phillips and Nicole M. (Schramm) Wright; grandsons Bryan Gianangeli and Matthew Schramm; great-grandsons Connor, Colin, and Colton Phillips and Wyatt Wright; great-granddaughters Lizzie Schramm and Dani Wright; nephews James Blaine (Cathy) Lavelle, John (Kathy) Schneider and William Schramm, Jr.; nieces Lisa (Lavelle) McKee and Janice (Bob) (Schneider) Baumann; as well as many special friends that she loved and considered as family.
Thelma was devoted to the Lord and to her family. She enjoyed reading scripture each day and took pride in her family’s accomplishments. She especially loved being Gigi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She spent the last year and a half as a resident at Beacon House in St. Clairsville, OH, where she quickly had the staff, nurses, and aides wrapped around her finger. We are forever grateful for their loving care of her. The family is also grateful to Wheeling Hospital, Amedisys Hospice, and Dr. James Comerci for their care.
Family and friends will be received on Monday, July 6, from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm with an Order the Eastern Star Service at 7:00 pm, and again on Tuesday July 7, from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am, with the Reverend Neil Leftwich officiating, all at the Altmeyer Funeral Homes Elm Grove Chapel, 154 Kruger St. Procession to Greenwood Cemetery, where Thelma will be laid to rest next to her husband Jimmy, will directly follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Thelma may be made to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), Shriner’s Hospital, or St. Jude’s Hospital by visiting www.tmcfunding.com or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Memories and condolences may be shared with Thelma’s family at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com.
