Thelma R. Dibble

Thelma Rena Livingston Dibble was born June 27, 1919 in Hollister Oklahoma. Thelma was the youngest of 4 children born to Leva Pyron Livingston and Ova Winningham Livingston. She grew up during the depression and dust bowl years on an Oklahoma cotton and wheat farm. She graduated from Oklahoma Central University and began teaching science in Junior College at age 20. This was the beginning of her lifelong passion of teaching, learning and mentoring. She continued to teach school in Oklahoma in a one-room schoolhouse then in high school. In 1943 she met her husband, William Dibble, on a USO hayride. They were married October 8, 1943 in Hollister Oklahoma. She followed her Air Force Husband to Eaglin Field in Pensacola Florida where she again taught several grades. After the war ended they returned to Rising Sun, IN where they farmed the family farm.  Soon Thelma found a job teaching second grade in the Rising Sun School system. She remained at Rising Sun for 37 years where she taught many different grades and subjects. Thelma is survived by two daughters: Sherry Timms(Ronald) of Rising Sun Indiana; Angela Morrison(John) of Springfield, Illinois; three granddaughters Lisa Bowne(Jim), Lori D’Agostino(Leonard) and Catherine Black(Jeff); And four great grandchildren: Maxwell, Ashley and Christopher Bowne and Charles Black .  Also surviving:  Nieces and nephews, beloved students and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband William Dibble; parents Leva and Ova Livingston; two brothers Denton and Alton Livingston and sister, Esta Wagner. Thelma was awarded the Senior Volunteer of the Year Award at the Indiana State Fair and Volunteer of the Year Award by RSVP. Her favorite award of all was Teacher of the Year , presented to her by Rising Sun Middle School. She was also a member of Bethel Unity Baptist Church in Rising Sun. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Thelma Dibble Fund for Excellence in Science and Math at the Ohio County Community Foundation, Bethel Unity Baptist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral services will be 10 AM, Saturday, April 30 at the Ohio County Elementary Middle School cafeteria with Pastor Corey Potts officiating. Visitation will be Friday 5-8 PM at the school. Burial will be at Rising Sun New Cemetery. Markland Funeral Home of Rising Sun, IN serving the family. marklandfuneralhome.com