Paula Louise Chase and Thomas Hall Tefft

THOMAS HALL TEFFT, son of VELMA MARION HALL and DANIEL DOUGLAS TEFFT, was born August 10, 1925 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York,⁴⁷¹⁷ and died February 3, 2024 in Midland, Midland, Michigan.⁴⁷¹⁷

He married PAULA LOUISE CHASE on April 7, 1947.⁴⁷¹⁷ She was born January 2, 1926 in Salamanca, Cattaraugus, New York,⁴⁷¹⁷ and died March 9, 2016 in Midland, Midland, Michigan.⁴⁷¹⁷

Thomas H. Tefft

• was a US Army Veteran of World War II; was battalion radio repairman in the 87th Infantry Division⁴⁷¹⁷
• was an engineer and executive at Dow Chemical⁴⁷¹⁷

Midland Daily News, March 13, 2016⁴⁷¹⁷

Paula Tefft

Paula Louise Tefft, 90, of Midland, died at her home at Riverside Place on March 9, 2016. Paula was the only child of Walter Guilford and Margaret Elsie (Wynkoop) Chase. She was born on Jan. 2, 1926 in Salamanca, N.Y.

At the age of 5 the family moved to Wellsville, N.Y. and moved to Olean, N.Y. in 1937. She graduated from Olean High School in 1943, and then graduated from Geneseo State Teachers College in June, 1947.

She married Thomas H. Tefft , April 7, 1947 when he came home from World War II. They moved to Ithaca, N.Y., where Tom went to Cornell University and she taught school. After Tom's graduation, he took a position at The Dow Chemical Co. and they moved to Midland. In 1951 their first son, Jeffrey was born, and in 1953 their second son, Scott was born.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, was President of the United Methodist Women and worked on many activities. She enjoyed her Monday morning Bible study and the many friendships made there.

Paula enjoyed water color and painted for many years. She was a member of the Midland Water Color Society and left many beautiful paintings for her family to enjoy. Paula was a den mother for her sons. As a family they were the "Scouting Family of the Year." While the boys were still home they made several trips out west to our National Parks. Paula served as a trail guide at the Chippewa Nature Center along with her son Scott. She thoroughly enjoyed sharing her love for nature with children.

She and Tom enjoyed ballroom dancing and were excellent at ice skating couples dance. They were even in an ice skating show with both of their sons. In addition, she and Tom taught classes for the youth on Saturday mornings.

After Tom's retirement they traveled the U.S. and abroad. They have spent the last 30 winters in Florida, taking in Elderhostel weeks on the way south and north. They attended Jupiter-Tequesta United Methodist Church in Florida and took trips with the seniors.

Paula is survived by her loving husband, Tom and her two sons, Jeff and his fiancee, Debbie Kufta of Ann Arbor and Scott and his wife Linda of Midland; seven grandchildren, Chris (Emily) Tefft and Amy Tefft of Ann Arbor, Jeff (Kristianne) Tefft, Mark (Jessica) Tefft, all of Midland, Bob and special friend Sarah, of Mount Pleasant, Marcy (Chris) Tamez of Fort Worth, Texas, and Scott (Sara) Williams of Midland; 13 great-grandchildren, Isaiah and Charlotte of Ann Arbor, and Mark II, Maelyn, Michael, Mackenzie, Will and Kennedy Tefft, all of Midland, Elise Tefft of Mount Pleasant and Emmaline, August, Delia and Oliver Williams of Midland.

As per Paula's wishes, she has been cremated and a memorial service will be held on March 19, 2016, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Midland In lieu of flowers, please consider 1st United Methodist Church.

A special thank-you to Heartland Home and Hospice Care for the excellent care given to Paula and her family.

Midland Daily News, February 23, 2024⁴⁷¹⁷

Thomas H. Tefft

Thomas H. Tefft, age 98, passed away on February 3, 2024, in Midland, Mi. Tom was born on August 10, 1925 in Olean, New York to Daniel Douglas Tefft and Velma M. (Hall) Tefft Delong. He is survived by his son, Scott A. (Linda) Tefft: seven grandchildren, Marcy (Chris) Tamez, Jeffrey (Kristianne) Tefft, Robert Tefft, Scott (Sara) Williams, Mark (Jessica) Tefft, Chris (Emily) Tefft, Amy Tefft, and 16 great grandchildren, with two great great grandchildren on the way.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lloyd, wife Paula and son Jeffrey T. Tefft.

Tom attended Olean high school, graduating in 1943 as Senior Class President and Valedictorian. Following graduation he was drafted into the army, joining the 87th infantry division, as battalion radio repairman during WW2. He was responsible for setting up the radio communication network, which enabled the battalion commander to communicate with the fighting units. In 1944 the 87th infantry participated in three major battle campaigns and his battalion was the lead unit in the American counterattack that was part of the Battle of the Bulge. Tom was awarded a Bronze Star and will be receiving a posthumous Purple Heart.

In 1945 Tom entered Cornell University, graduating in 1950 with a bachelors in chemical engineering. After graduation he moved to Midland to work in Dow Chemical's high-pressure laboratory. Tom was always proud of designing and building a pilot plant, operating continuously at 30,000 pounds per square inch, a first for Dow at that pressure. In 1968 Tom joined the Dow Corporate Economic Planning department and later became the manager of the Michigan divisions, Economic Evaluation, and then the Production Planning department. Tom retired from The Dow Chemical Company on January 31, 1986.

In 1947 Tom married the love of his life, Paula L. Chase. They had known each other since seventh grade, had several classes together, and attended the same youth group. Theirs indeed was a lifelong relationship. Tom and Paula enjoyed many activities together, such as teaching children's figure skating, Boy Scouts of America and being active members of the First United Methodist Church. After retirement, Tom and Paula traveled internationally and spent their summers in Midland and winters in North Palm Beach, Florida.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held on March 2, 2024 at Aldersgate Church, located at 2206 Airfield Lane, Midland, Mi 48642, with Rev. Michael T. Sawicki officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00am with service following at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association. Special thank you to Independence Village, MyMichigan Hospice and Laurus Home Care of Midland.