Indianapolis – Thelma Dean Holtman of Indianapolis passed away peacefully Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Northwest Healthcare Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thelma was born to Richard and Crystal (Brown) Cameron on December 27, 1930, in Nameoki (now Granite City), Illinois, living with family friends (late) Clarence and Virginia Allen until age eight, and in multiple locations during her school years.
Thelma married Vaughn Cooper in September 1958 and they had three children: Ginger, Philip, and Gary. Thelma worked in hospitals in Evansville, Bloomington, and Indianapolis, Indiana; single-handedly operated a childcare center for fifteen years while in Bloomington; and retired December 30, 1995, as Manager of Building Five at Justus Company’s Crestwood West Apartment complex in Indianapolis. On that same day, she married Robert (Bob) Holtman; they enjoyed almost 30 happy, loving, and rewarding years. Their adventures together included ocean cruises to Alaska and Hawaii and a European river cruise with friends. Thelma became a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Indianapolis with Bob when they married, transferring when it closed to St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Speedway, where she volunteered with the Clothes Closet until her death.
A wonderful cook, sewer, and gardener, Thelma was kind, gentle, and caring. She will be warmly remembered for her dolls and generous giving of quilts, sock monkeys, appliqued sweatshirts, plates of molded chocolates for every holiday and special occasion, homemade applesauce, and Christmas bounty of candies, snack mix, and decorated sugar cookies.
Thelma was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Richard Cameron and George Carstens. She is survived by her husband Bob; three children Ginger (Philip) McGeever, Philip (Ruth Ann) Cooper, Gary (Ronda) Cooper; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Thelma also is survived by three stepchildren, Larry (Joanna) Holtman, Linda (Rick) Elkins, David (Gayle) Holtman, and their families.
Final arrangements made with Flanner Buchanan - Washington Park North. Visitation will be 10-11am, Thursday, October 9, 2025, with the funeral service following at 11am, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 6118 Crawfordsville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46224.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
Washington Park North
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