Thelma Ida Henry-Shipman, age 91, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility.

In following with Thelma's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Service for Thelma will be held at Clark Family Funeral Chapel on July 27, 2026 at 2 P.M.. The family will receive friends from 1 P.M. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Children's Hospital.

Thelma was born on March 28, 1935, in Saganing, daughter of John Wesley and Ida Thelma (Krause) Henry. Thelma worked for the State of Michigan as head of Indian affairs for 20+ years and proudly served on SCIT tribal council.

She was gifted in making porcelain Indian dolls. She was lovingly known as the "Hat Lady" and enjoyed spending time at the casino.

Thelma is survived by her children, Bunny (Al) Roth of Shorewood, WI, and Kevin O'Brein of Mt. Pleasant; daughter-in-law, Regina "Jeannie" Ferriss of Warren; five grandchildren, Sarah (Justin) Spence of Skokie, IL, Joe Ferriss of Warren, Nina Roth (Michael Harvel) of Morton Grove, IL, Natalie (Ben) Black of Grafton, WI, and Kevin O'Brien Jr. of OH; 11 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jordan, and Lincoln Spence, Bailey and Violet Harvel, Lilly, Adam, and Miles Black, Sophia and Bentley O'Brien, and Brittney Ferriss; great-great-grandchild, Guinevere Spence; nieces, Dianne Henry, Suzanne "Sue" Boettcher; and numerous grandnieces and nephews.

Thelma was preceded in death by her son, Leonard Ferriss, parents John Wesley Henry and Ida Thelma Henry (Hill); siblings, Stanford Henry, John Henry, Ruth Henry, Jenette Francis, Phil Henry, and Barbara Miller.