Thelia M. SWARTHOUT, 88, of Belmont, NY, died September 8, 2025 after a brief illness. She was born September 12, 1936, in Wellsville, the second daughter of Edward E. and Marion L. Woodard Bartlett.
She grew up on the backside of Whitehill Road #1 in Allentown during the post-depression era. A 1953 graduate of Allentown Union School, she was involved with many school activities including choir and band. Thelia went on to graduate from the Rochester Business Institute.
In 1956, she married Gene Swarthout in the Allentown Methodist Church. They lived in Wellsville for several years before moving to Belmont in 1963. In her early working career, she was employed by the Allegany County D.M.V. office and the County Clerk’s office. She then went to work for Monroe Abstract starting as an abstractor, then as a typist in the office, and finally as the office manager retiring after more than 40 years.
Thelia was a member of the United Methodist Church in Belmont since 1964. She joined the Genesee Valley Chorus in the late 70’s and was still singing in 2025. She was a member of the M. Eva Williams Chapter #192 of the Order of the Eastern Star, joining in 1967, and served as Matron for many years, merging with the Friendship Chapter and finally the McKee Tri-Star Chapter #24 in Cuba. In her later retirement years, she enjoyed attending the Senior Citizen fitness and luncheon program in Belmont.
Surviving are: her children, Randy Swarthout, Michael ‘Mike’ Swarthout, Janet (Lynne Charette) Swarthout, and Pamela ‘Pam’ Winterhalter; three grandsons, Dylan (Maria Colon-Alomar)Winterhalter, Alex (Alexis Wira) Winterhalter, and Derek Winterhalter; great-grandchildren, Blake Winterhalter, Cooper Winterhalter, Selena Gagnon, Isabella Gagnon, Jayden Quick, and Laney Guy; two sisters, Beverly Dawson and Ann Austin; a brother, James Bartlett; nieces, nephews, and their families.
She was predeceased by a sister, Gloria (Melvin) Clark; two brothers-in-law, Wilbur ‘Cy’ Dawson and Stephen Austin; a sister-in-law, Norma Bartlett; and a daughter-in-law, Tedde Swarthout.
Friends may call at J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, 17 Schuyler Street, Belmont, on Saturday September 13, 2025 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM, with an Eastern Star and Funeral Services following at 2:00 PM. Rev. Dr. Stephen Crowell will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery, Belmont.
Memorials may be made to Genesee Valley Chorus, c/o Dana Ross, 5196 State Route 244, Belmont, NY, 14813 or The United Methodist Church, 5 Park Circle, Belmont, NY 14813.
Online condolences may be expressed at Olney Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory
