Mrs. Thelma H. Bloom, 96, of Coldwater, passed away April 30, 2018 at her winter home in Bayonet Pointe, Florida.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at 1:00 PM at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater, with Pastor Sam Gordy from the Bronson United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2018, from 5-8:00PM, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.

Mrs. Bloom was born May 12, 1921, the middle daughter of Don and Inez Hoopingarner, in Gilead Township. A graduate of Bronson High School, she was one of a rare few women to drive a car at the time. That Model-T would establish her life-long love of driving. Thelma, or “Tish” as she was known to her family and friends, married Roy A. Bloom on June 21, 1942. Shortly after that he served as a Captain of Field Artillery with the 26th Infantry Division, United States Army, in Europe. With Roy in France, Tish worked in a Philadelphia chemistry lab. Upon his discharge from the military in 1946, he and Tish established a dairy farm in Coldwater, Michigan. The two worked hand-in-hand to build a successful and thriving business. Tish worked as bookkeeper and kept detailed records of the dairy herd, all while raising three rambunctious sons. Both Roy and Tish were life-long Farm Bureau members and she was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Bronson. Her husband, Roy, passed away in 1995. She enjoyed traveling and discovering new cultures. Spain, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand were just a few of the lands her feet touched upon.
After meticulous research, Tish discovered that her ancestors had fought in the American Revolution, making her a member and serving as Regent of the local Daughters of American Revolution chapter. Truly a feminist before the word was ever uttered, she was independent, intelligent, well-read, quick-witted and business savvy. Mrs. Bloom had a great understanding of the business world and was an astute stock trader. The WALL STREET JOURNAL was read from front to back each day. She had an unquenchable thirst for life and learning. An elegant and gracious woman, there will never be another like her. In 1998, she met Mr. Maurice J. Ryan and they became a loving couple until his death in 2011. The consummate hostess, she welcomed all to her home. One of her greatest delights was gathering her family around the dining room table for Sunday dinners. This was not only nourishment for the body, but the mind as well. Many a rousing discussion of politics, literature, grain market fluctuations, and the ups and downs of the stock market could be heard on any given day!

Mrs. Bloom is survived by her three sons, Eric (Patty) Bloom of Canton, Michigan, Bruce (Melinda) Bloom and Doug (Sharon) Bloom, of Coldwater, honorary son, The Honorable Judge Greg Fraser and his wife, Bonnie, of Midland, Michigan. She leaves five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy A. Bloom, long-time companion Maurice J. Ryan, sisters Gwen Brown, and Donna Baker; niece Virginia Wyman, daughter-in-law Gaye F. Bloom, and her sister-in-law Elinor G. Sweet.

Memorials may be directed to the Bronson First United Methodist Church. www.dutcherfh.com.