Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Velma Wellman
Velma Anna (Schmitmeyer) Wellman, 100, died on May 23, 2025 in Coldwater surrounded by the love of her family. Velma was born April 21, 1925 on the family farm in rural Minster, Shelby County, Ohio as the eleventh child of twelve children born to Henry and Emma (Thieman) Schmitmeyer.
She was the last surviving member of her family having been predeceased by all of her siblings.
On February 9, 1946 she married Bernard J. Wellman in Minster, Ohio. Bernard preceded her in death on June 1, 1999. Surviving her are their children: Elaine Hummel, Brookville, OH, Patricia (Biagio) Azzarelli, Sarasota, FL, Donna (Robert) Peters, Ansonia, OH, Daniel (Diane) Wellman, Coldwater, OH, Roseann (Robert) Sudhoff, Minster, OH, and Mary (Paul) Welling, Ft. Recovery, OH. Velma and Bernard were blessed with 25 grandchildren, 95 great-grandchildren, one deceased, and 10 great-great grandchildren.
Besides her husband she was also preceded in death by one son, Robert W. Wellman in 1984, son-in-law Ralph (Ted) Hummel, and siblings and in-laws: Leander (Elsie) Schmitmeyer, Mathilda (Frank Albers) (Clem) Poeppelman, Rosa (Joseph) Enneking, Albert (Clara) Schmitmeyer, Leona Schmieder, Henry (Thelma) Schmitmeyer, Henrietta (Herman) Hoying, Elsie (Elmer) Borgert, Clara (Ed) Schmiesing, Fred (Alberta [Wellman]) Schmitmeyer, Marie (Greg) Holdheide, Beatrice (William) Leyes, William (Mary) Wellman, and Donald Wellman who died in infancy.
Velma was born and raised on the family farm, northeast of Minster and attended Minster Local Schools. Velma retired from Coldwater Exempted Village Schools after many years as a cafeteria cook, a job she truly loved. Velma enjoyed spending time with her family, especially on fishing trips to Rice Lake in Canada and in her later years during the winter months
with Bernard in Florida. People who knew her also know of her love of gardening and candy! Of course she loved visiting McDonald's to see her friends and enjoy the senior tea with honey! Velma loved and was very proud of her family and enjoyed the many visits
and phone calls from everyone. Velma was happy and content to be able to live at her home until this past January!
The family greatly appreciates the care and support provided by Briarwood Village and EverHeart Hospice.
Velma was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, Ohio.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM, on Tuesday, May 27 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.
Friends may call from 3PM to 7PM on Monday, May 26 and 9AM to 10AM on Tuesday
at Hogenkamp Funeral Home Coldwater, Ohio.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, 2291 Saint Johns Road, Maria Stein, Ohio 45860 or EverHeart Hospice at 230 W Main St, Coldwater, OH 45828. Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.
