September 13, 1937 – November 9, 2023
Lorita Ruth Thistlethwaite, 86, Sheridan, passed away on Friday afternoon, November 9, 2023, at Majestic Care of Sheridan. Born on September 13, 1937, in Sheridan, she was the daughter of the late William and Phyllis (Pettigrew) Wright.
She was a 1955 graduate of Sheridan High School, where she supported her Blackhawks as a cheerleader. After graduation, Lorita continued her education by enrolling in Comptometer School. The skills she gained led to her employment with Wonder Bread (now Continental Baking Company) where she had a wonderful 40-year career within their bookkeeping and payroll department.
She attended Sheridan First Christian Church.
Lorita was the social butterfly of the family. In her eyes, there was nothing more important than her family and her friends (with the latter always gaining new members). She loved doting over her grandchildren and following their activities. One example would be her grandson’s bowling activities. In addition to driving him to practices and matches, Lorita would offer up advice, (wanted or not) along the way. She quickly came to terms with her self-appointed role as her grandson’s bowling coach and never looked back.
Lorita continued to take her cheerleading responsibilities very seriously throughout her adult years as well. She was a member of a house divided. In the fall, she was a die-hard Blackhawk football fan. (When your brother is the coach, you come by it honestly.) However, in the winter, her colors turned shamrock green, and Westfield basketball (coached by her husband) became her favorite sport. Self-appointed or not, it is easy to see where her coaching prowess came from. And it didn’t stop with family, she could armchair coach with the best of ‘em … especially when it came to Purdue.
Lorita enjoyed traveling (especially overseas) and loved it even more when family was involved. Her trips to Okinawa, where her daughter was stationed, gave her a lifetime of memories and stories to share at one of her other favorite destinations – class reunions, family gatherings, or just about any occasion she could find for a get together of some kind.
Lorita never met a stranger. She would drop whatever she was doing to help someone in need. When she went to live at Sheridan Healthcare Center, she quickly started making new friends and joining any and every activity they offered.
Lorita is survived by her three daughters, Pamela Fosnight (Richard) of Sheridan, Tara McColgin (Jerry) of North Carolina, and Veronica Lageschulte (Hans) of Hampton, Va.; seven grandchildren, Mark Fosnight (Clem), Jeremy Fosnight (Christina), Doug McColgin (Brittney), Andy McColgin (Olivia), Jake McColgin, Nirali McColgin (Carson), and Jaquelyn Schenkel (Joey); grandson-in-law, David Shinault; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Larry “Bud” Wright (Ellen) of Sheridan and Arnold Pettigrew (Arlene) of Kirklin; two sisters, Lora Goff-Pitts (Rex) of Westfield and Judith Inskeep of Sheridan; and two sisters-in-law, Karen Buzan (Morris) of Sheridan and VaRae Blount (Robert) of Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Phyllis (Pettigrew) Wright; sister, Cathy Crull; brother-in-law, Roland Inskeep; granddaughters, Melisa Shinault and Allison McColgin; and by her loving husband, Mark L. Thistlethwaite, on May 1, 2008. She and Mark were married on November 22, 1956.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from noon until the time of service. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Lorita’s son-in-law, Jerry McColgin, will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com