Velma L. Holmes, age 85 of Columbus passed away at 6:05 P.M. on Monday January 26, 2009 at the Medicalodge of Columbus after an illness.

Velma was born April 26, 1923 at Yates Center, Kansas to Lester O. Heckethorn and Lela Webb. At the age of two they moved to Independence, Kansas. She graduated from Independence High School and the Junior College and also Pittsburg State University. She taught school in Caney, KS, Bartlesville, OK, Wichita KS, Pittsburg, KS, and Columbus, KS.

Velma married Dee Holmes of Columbus on June 1, 1947 and lived in Pittsburg for several years, moving to Columbus in 1950. Dee also taught school in Columbus.

Velma was active in the United Methodist Women and a den mother for Cub Scouts.

Survivors include husband Dee of Columbus, son Ron Holmes and wife Kay of Columbus and daughter Linda Sterk and husband Tony of Bartlesville, OK. Five grandsons: David Holmes and wife Laura of Columbus, Derek Holmes and wife Trisha of Bloomington, IL, Dustin Holmes of Pittsburg, KS and Alex and Andrew Sterk of Bartlesville, OK. One sister Janie Martin of Manhattan, KS and one brother-in-law Joe Collie of Mobile, AL and seven nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 31, 2009 at the Simpson Funeral Home of Columbus, KS, with Susan Daniel-Brey officiating. Family visitation from 6:30 till 8:30 p.m. Friday January 30, 2009 at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus, Kansas. The family suggest memorials to the First Methodist Church of Columbus or the Columbus Boy Scouts Troop 74 in Columbus and may be left at the Simpson Funeral Home in Columbus.