Loretta Eileen (McDonald) Thellman, 83, of Beaver Falls (West Mayfield), passed away on July 13th, 2026 at Allegheny General Hospital. She was a cancer survivor since 2018 who fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. She was born in North Sewickley Township on August 22nd, 1942, a daughter of the late John and Mary Eileen McDonald (Shoaff).

Loretta was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and trusted neighbor and friend. She was a devoted Christian and active member of the former St. Paul Lutheran Church on College Hill and then Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Chippewa, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and sang in the choir. She also served in the meals on wheels ministry and the altar guild. She most recently attended Chippewa Alliance Church. She played the bass in her younger years and enjoyed playing her organ at home. She also sang in the 1990’s with the Hosannah ministry choir. Loretta was a hard worker who actively cared for and served her family, church, friends and neighbors. She was happy being outdoors and working in her garden, enjoying her dogs and watching the birds and deer in her yard. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting and craft making and made it her goal to crochet afghans for her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She most of all cherished time with her family whom she loved deeply, and on whom she left a lasting impact of faith, hope and love.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Christine, and her beloved husband of 47 years, Richard Thellman. She is survived by one sister, Valerie (Jerry) Harold (Boynton Beach, Florida), her children, Carrie (Randy) Burnell (Beaver Falls), Steven (Stephanie) Thellman (Gainesville, Georgia), Bradley (Susan) Thellman (North Sewickley Township) and Gregory (Lidija) Thellman (Osijek, Croatia and Wheaton, Illinois), as well as 15 grandchildren: Suzi Thellman (Beaver Falls), Austin (Kara) Burnell (Beaver Falls), Becca (Steve) Sheehy (Lowell, Indiana), Zachary (Carly) Thellman (Roswell, Georgia), Seth Thellman (Marietta, Georgia), Savannah Thellman (Gainesville, Georgia), Skylar Thellman (Gainesville, GA), Nicole (Justin) Jackson (North Sewickley Township), Dylan (Peyton) Thellman (East Palestine, Ohio), Haley (Charlie) Spirk (North Sewickley Township), Noah Thellman (Wheaton, Illinois), Sarah Thellman (Wheaton, Illinois), Etan Thellman (Wheaton, Illinois), Zoe Thellman (Osijek, Croatia) and Nora Thellman (Osijek, Croatia); as well as 11 great-grandchildren: Zion and Rory Burnell, Rylan, Lilah and Kip Sheehy, Ava and Dominic Basile, Liam and Bella Thellman and Rowan and Salem Spirk; as well as several step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm, and on Saturday, July 18th from 10:30 a.m. until the time of a service at 12:30 p.m. at Corless-Kunselman Funeral Services, LLC, 3801 4th Avenue, Beaver Falls, who was in charge of his arrangements. Pastor Dan Muir will officiate the service. A private burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery, 139 Norwood Drive, Beaver Falls.