Thelma Jean Gainer

She was born Oct. 28, 1927, at Elkins, a daughter of the late Adonajah Isner and Ocie Gordon Isner. Thelma’s father died when she was seven years old and she was raised by her mother and aunts, Opal Gimmel, Edith Smell and Ollie Osbourne.

On May 13, 1946, in Oakland, Maryland, she was married to Glenn Walter Gainer Jr., who preceded her in death Dec. 4, 1994.

Thelma is survived by three sons, Del Glenn Gainer and wife, Janet, of Dry Fork, John Matthew Gainer and wife, Susie, and Jay Walter Gainer and wife, Karen, all of Elkins; four daughters, Brenda Joyce Brown, Nancy Jean Saffel and husband, David, Leslie Kaye Louk and husband, Phil, all of Elkins, and Julie Lynn Cassera and husband, Al, of Fairfield, New Jersey; and daughter-in-law, Tammy Gainer of Elkins. Sixteen grandchildren, Janelle Gainer, Toni Ness (Andrew), Alex Zopp (Bart), Seth Gainer (Devin), Nathan Gainer (Chera) Taira Gainer-Sarfino (Brian), Rob Saffel (Danielle), Heather Saffel (Crystal Higginson), Kurt Gainer (Lindsey), Ryan Gainer (Amanda), Matt Cassera (Ashley), Mark Cassera (Jamie), Alison Scott (Tyler), Amanda Cassera (Anthony Berardino) Cody Gainer (Amber), and Colby Gainer (Elaine).

Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Maya, Tory and Zane Paul, Alexander and Laurel Ness, Jarrette and Kaci Zopp, Railyn and Hayden Gainer, Selah Sarfino, Victoria, Elijah and Logan Saffel, Carson Higginson-Saffel, Kane, Kolt, Londyn and Brody Gainer, Addie, Ainsley, Cameron and Carson Cassera, Vivi, Ellie and Frankie Cassera, Hunter Scott, Max Gainer and Ocie Gainer. A special cousin, Charlotte Smell Burnell, also survives.

Also preceding her in death in addition to her parents and husband were one son, Philip Neil Gainer; one son-in-law, William “Bill” Brown; one grandson, Del Glenn Gainer II; one brother, Mack Leon Isner and wife, Ann; and two infant brothers, Willis Eugene Isner and Elmer Leon Isner.

Thelma was a sponsor in the Elkins High School band. Just prior to her high school graduation, she married her husband, Glenn, who was her student teacher at the time. She loved local, high school and college sports and until her later years, attended sporting events where her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren played.

Thelma loved to read and was an excellent cook especially for meals for students over the years and her family events and holidays the family shared. Thelma and Glenn were the first Concession Vendor at the Harness Horse Racing Track at Charlestown, West Virginia. She was employed at the Dari-Delite at Crystal Springs and was a clerk in the hardware department at the Elkins Heck’s Store for many years prior to her retirement. She volunteered at the Elkins Visitors Center and the Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed traveling with Mack and Ann Isner and Charlotte and Allen Burnell.

Thelma was a life-long and devoted member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Joy Circle of the church and prepared meals for funeral services and other church events.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025. at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday from the funeral home chapel with Pastor Tim Edin and Pastor Cindy Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain State Memorial Gardens near Gilman.

The family request memorial contributions be made to the Joy Circle, Otterbein United Methodist Church, 1100 S. Davis Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 in memory of Thelma.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Thelma Jean Gainer.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.