Thelda Tanner's Obituary
Weslaco – Thelda Edith Tanner, 94, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February
25, 2026, at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.
Thelda was born on March 3, 1931, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, to George and Harriet
(Stafford) Setters. From an early age, she was both talented and industrious. She loved to sing and was an active member of her high school choir. Never one to shy away from hard work, Thelda eagerly helped her father with projects around their family home, whether painting walls or repairing roofs.
After graduating from Aliquippa High School in 1949, she married the love of her life,
Paul Tanner. Together, they shared 57 wonderful years of marriage built on love, faith, and devotion to family. Thelda and Paul raised their two daughters in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Thelda worked as an accountant and photographic retoucher for Bell Foto Lab, a school photography business. She attended retouching school for
photography. She also shared her artistic talents as a cake decorator for Chippewa
Bakery.
In 1983, Thelda and Paul moved to Weslaco, Texas, to be near their daughters'
families. They embraced the community, and the Rio Grande Valley became their new home where they would spend the rest of their retirement.
Above all, Thelda was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her faith
defined her life. A devout Christian, she served the Lord faithfully in every season. In
Pennsylvania, she served on various committees at the First Church of God in New
Brighton. After she and Paul relocated to Weslaco, they became members of First
Baptist Church of Weslaco, where Thelda volunteered for many years as a Sunday
School and Vacation Bible School teacher.
Her servant’s heart extended beyond the church walls. Thelda volunteered at Knapp
Medical Center in the baby nursery and at the Weslaco Museum. She was truly a social butterfly who loved being part of her community.
At home, Thelda was an exceptional homemaker. Her grandchildren especially
cherished her famous chocolate chip cookies. She loved to bake and cook, and she
was a talented seamstress who knitted and crocheted beautiful afghans, lovingly gifting them to family and friends. She found joy in simple pleasures — spending time with loved ones, watching classic movies and sitcoms like Everybody Loves Raymond, Reba, and The Golden Girls, and cheering enthusiastically at her grandchildren’s sporting events, school programs, and award ceremonies.
Family vacations were treasured times for the Tanners, including trips to Niagara Falls, Canada; the New York World’s Fair; Virginia Beach; and Daytona Beach. Holidays were especially meaningful, with large family gatherings and memorable Easter egg hunts.
Thelda was compassionate, positive, and endlessly encouraging. She had a remarkable gift for accepting people just as they were and loving them unconditionally. She would drop everything to help someone in need and was truly a joy to be around.
Thelda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul; her parents, George and Harriet (Stafford) Setters; her infant brother, Cordon Setters; her sister, Venita O’Brien; and her grandson, Justin Meiners.
She is survived by her two daughters, Linda Tanner Meiners (Carl) and Janice Tanner
Casciato (Mark); six grandchildren, Matthew Meiners (Cyndy), Erik Meiners, Brandon
Meiners (Christina), Jordan Meiners (Rizza), Adrienne Vega (Mark), and Shelly
Casciato; and seven great-grandchildren, Justin Paul, Madison, Mia, Abigail, Nicholas
(Amber), Jacob, and Violet.
Visitation for Thelda will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30
a.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Highland Memorial Park at 11:00 a.m. Thelda’s life will also be celebrated with a memorial service at John Knox Village on Saturday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m.
The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at the personal care unit of John Knox Village, as well as the nursing staff in the John Knox Med Center, for their
kindness, gentle, loving care, and willingness to help in any way possible.
What’s your fondest memory of Thelda?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thelda?
Share a story where Thelda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thelda you’ll never forget.
How did Thelda make you smile?