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Thelma P. Hovis, 81, of Elk Street, Franklin, (formerly of Sandy Lake) passed away at 1:18 p.m., on Wednesday, January 18 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.

Mrs. Hovis was born in Franklin on November 4, 1930 and was the daughter of the late Nathan LeRoy and Josephine Burke Wygant. She was married to Norman F. Hovis on August 9, 1949, and he preceded her in death on October 31, 2003.

Mrs. Hovis was self-employed as owner and operator of Hovis Frosty Treat in the 1960’s and 1970’s; owner-operator of Phillips Flowers; and started Hovis Country Florist in Sandy Lake. She most recently opened Hovis Frosty Treat on Allegheny Blvd. Mrs. Hovis was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. She enjoyed collecting antiques, clocks, bells, and jewelry. She was the matriarch of her family. Mrs. Hovis was a strong, independent business woman, who loved her family and all the commotion of them being together. She will always be remembered with a smile on faces and laughter in hearts.

Mrs. Hovis is survived by her children, Daniel E. Hovis and his wife, Sandy K., of Franklin; Thomas G. Hovis and his wife, Theresa, of Lake Placid, Florida; Cynthia Sue Holly of Franklin; and Julie Gordon and her husband, Herb, also of Franklin. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Jodi L. Hovis-Skiba and her husband, Brian, of Henderson, Nevada; Jennifer A. Lykling and her husband, Aaron, of El Paso, Texas; Michael Hays and his fiancee’, Tiffany, of Franklin; Kristy Thompson and her husband, Dustin, of Franklin; Beth Kreider and her husband, Casey, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Allison Holly-Gerwick and her husband, Tyler, of Franklin; and Thomas Hovis, Jr. and Troy Hovis, both of Lake Placid, Florida; and her 7 great-grandchildren, Logan, Adison, KayLynn, Trenton, Taylor, Julia and Avry.

Mrs. Hovis is additionally survived by her sister, Nancy A. Deeter of Franklin; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca Rice; and her 2 sisters, Eileen Riddle and Betty Hovis.

Family and friends of Mrs. Hovis will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Sunday, January 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday, January 23 at 11 a.m. with Deacon Walt Jones of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church and Dr. John Seth, pastor of Galloway United Methodist Church, co-officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Kirtland Cancer Foundation, PO Box 108, Franklin PA 16323.

To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or to obtain further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.