Mrs. Eloise Thaler, age 81, of Shelby and formerly of Hart, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011. She was born December 19, 1930, in Muskegon to Carol and Nina (Rinehart) Hodges. A graduate of Hart High School in 1949, she was employed at Prince Law Firm as a legal secretary. Eloise married Donald E. "Spark" Thaler in Hart on July 23, 1949. They were married forty years before his passing on November 16, 1989. Mrs. Thaler was a member of Hart Congregational United Church of Christ and the West Michigan Old Engine Club. Mrs. Thaler loved gardening, bird watching, camping, outdoor life and collected miniature tractors. She was an avid sports fan who attended all her grandchildren's sporting events. She also made a quilt for each of her children.

Eloise is survived by her children, Dawn Thaler of Manistee, Donald "Ed" (Penelope) Thaler of Hart, Diana (Douglas) Pretty of Shelby, and Delos (Arlene) Thaler of Hart; her sister, Jean Stefan of Hudsonville; and her brother, James (Donna) Hodges of Hart. She also has fourteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and two brothers, Paul and Robert Johnson.

Funeral services for Mrs. Thaler will be Saturday, December 31, 2011, at 11:00 am from the Hart Congregational United Church of Christ in Hart with Rev. Lorraine Boucon officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 at King Funeral Home. Interment will be in Hart Cemetery. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Hart Congregational United Church of Christ, 408 S. State St., Hart, MI 49420.