Thelma J. Force

Thelma J. Force, 80, of New Holland, died Friday, February 21, 2025, at Maple Farm Nursing Center. She was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Arthur C. Force, in 2007.

Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Ralph E. and Reba B. (Carvell) Hillard.

Thelma worked in records management for 37 years at New Holland, North America, retiring in 2000. She loved being a Grammy and doing counted cross stitch and was involved in her church, Community United Methodist Church.

Surviving is a granddaughter, Mackenna J. Work and a daughter-in-law Deidre L (Oberholtzer) Work, a step-son David Force, step-daughter Susan Reihl, step-son-in-law Charles Trissler, three step grandchildren: Eric (Katie) Force, Christen (Brian) Tribbitt, Cortney (Anthony) Blair, nine step great-grandchildren a sister Barbara Welsh (Charles) and a brother Elvin (Vivian) Hillard.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, David W. Work Jr, a stepdaughter Carol Trissler, and a step-granddaughter Tracy Reihl.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church, 130 Tennyson Dr., Lancaster with Pastor Harry L. Kaufhold, Jr. officiating. Interment will be private in Pequea Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to her granddaughter’s education fund: CollegeAmerica/AbleAmerica, P. O. Box 2713, Norfolk, VA, 23501-2713. Please list “Mackenna Work” on the memo line of the check. Or to Hospice & Community Care., P. O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. The Beck Funeral Home, New Holland, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be posted at www.beckfuneral.com.