Thelma (Shappell) Winchell

Thelma Shappell Winchell of Friends Village, Woodstown, NJ, formerly of Port Republic, NJ, entered into the more immediate presence of her Savior on January 19, 2020. 

She was born in Phillipsburg, NJ on December 15, 1927 to Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Wesley Shappell (Bessie Anna DeHart). While a student at Phillipburg High School during the World War II era, she played trombone in the Earl Held “All Girls Band” in Easton, PA. She attended Churchman’s Business School before attending Glassboro State Teachers College. It was at Glassboro that she met her husband of 64 years, “her Larry”, Lawrence Romie Winchell, Jr. As educators, Christians, friends, relatives, and parents they always championed children. Thelma first taught three different grades in one classroom at Tabernacle School in Tabernacle, NJ while Larry was the teaching principal. They knew every family and the needs of every child and treated them as their own. She later taught kindergarten at Mount Vernon Avenue school in Northfield, NJ. Thelma supported her husband’s career throughout the years while nurturing their own children, Cynthia Winchell Scibal (Gary; Bowling Green, KY); Jacqueline Winchell Gallagher (Gibbstown, NJ); and Lawrence Romie III ( Carol; Canton, NJ ). Her grandchildren Katharine Scibal Hendrix (Timothy; Bowling Green, KY); Arthur Scibal (Kara; Jeju, South Korea); Lawrence Romie Winchell IV (Sara; Hancock’s Bridge, NJ); Joseph Winchell (Alexandra; Elsenboro, NJ); Steven Gallagher ( Gibbstown, NJ) brought her great joy as did her great-grandchildren Tristan Scibal, Pearl Winchell, Lawrence Romie Winchell V, Ana Lucia Scibal, Scarlett Winchell, Charlotte Hendrix, Elizabeth Hendrix, and Maverick Winchell. She had a special place in her heart for her sister’s ( Geneva Shappell Johnson; Charlottesville , VA) children, nephews Wayne Johnson, Barry Johnson, Andrew Johnson and nieces Bonnie Johnson Podraza, and Sharon Johnson Hughes. A lifelong Methodist, she treasured her church family at Central United Methodist Church in Linwood, NJ where she had been a member for over 60 years. After her move to Woodstown the church family at Canton Baptist Church enfolded her with love. The ministries to children at that small country church especially touched her heart.

 Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 10:00 am, a Service will follow at 11:00 am at Canton Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Friends Central Cemetery, Shore Road, Linwood, NJ at 2:30 pm with a light reception to follow. 

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be sent in her name to Canton Baptist Church, Children's Fund, 700 Smick Road, Salem, NJ 08079.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thelma (Shappell) Winchell, please visit our floral store.