Theresa I. McElwee, age 64, passed away peacefully at the Ohio Living – Sarah Moore Community in Delaware, Ohio on March 19, 2024 after several years of illness.
She was born on August 3, 1959 in St. Marys, the daughter of the late Aloys S. “Junior” Sommer Jr. and Marilyn K. (Swallow) Sommer who survives in New Bremen. Also surviving are her son, Keith (Jennifer) Moeller of Delaware, Ohio, her daughter, Melinda Moeller of Zanesville, and her daughter, Amee (Phil) Bertke of Delaware, Ohio. In addition, Theresa had two stepsons: Britton (Stephanie) McElwee of Zanesville and Ian (Kimberly) McElwee of Byesville. Through her twelve grandchildren, her memory will be cherished for years to come: Dominic, Jalen, Alexis, Trey, Alaysia, Makayla, Keagan, Grant and her step-grandchildren: Emma, Isabella, Sophia, and Graham. Theresa is also survived by her brother Alan (Christy) Sommer of Indian Trail, NC, her sister Rhonda (Barry) Gill of New Bremen, a sister in-law Mary Sommer, and her ex-husband and father of her children Mardean (Carole) Moeller of Arizona. Along with her father, Theresa was proceeded in death by her husband, James M. McElwee and her brother David Sommer.
Theresa was a 1977 graduate of New Bremen High School and went on to further her education at Wright State Lake Campus. She spent her professional career working in accounts receivable and billing in the medical field. She loved spending time creating cross stitch pictures, basket weaving, scrapbooking, and reading. Theresa often put the needs of others before her own and enjoyed her time with family and friends. Her strong faith carried her through many storms and gave her peace. While navigating her illness, many knew her to be joyful, always smiling, and laughing. Her famous quote was “I’m fine, It’s fine, Everything is fine” … even when the road forward was uncertain.
A memorial service to honor Theresa’s life will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen with Deacon Mr. Greg Bornhorst officiating. There will be two hours of calling on Saturday prior to the services at the funeral home from 9:00-11:00 A.M. Private family inurnment will take place in the Harmony Cemetery in Cambridge, Ohio at a later date. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.gilberghartwigfh.com. Memorial contributions in memory of Theresa can be directed to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research at: www.stopsarcoidosis.org or (320 W. Ohio Street, Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60654) listing Theresa’s name as a Tribute.