Zelma Rudolph, 85, of Peru, passed away at 12:13 AM, Friday, April 27, 2018 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Kokomo, IN. She was born in Sardis, AL on May 24, 1932, the daughter of Archie and Mariah Martin Thomas. Zelma married Hugh “Rudy” Rudolph in Selma, AL on December 30, 1961 and he preceded her in death on September 10, 2016. Zelma was a member of the Peru Church of the Brethren, Sigma Delta Pi Sorority, the Indiana State Teachers Retirement Association and the Miami County Teachers Retirement Association. Zelma received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1953 from Alabama State University and her Master’s degree in Education at Indiana University, Kokomo, IN. She was an Elementary teacher in the Peru Community School System from 1966 until her retirement in 1998. She is survived by daughters Merlene (Herman) Ellsberry, Birmingham, AL and Diane Burke, Montgomery, AL: her step-mother Annie Thomas, Sardis, AL, a sister Annie Arlene Thomas (Willie) Bullock Kokomo, IN; brothers Farrell (Mable) Thomas, Euclid, OH, Bennett (Ethel) Thomas, Selma, AL, McKenzie (Philippa) Thomas, Decatur, GA, Frederick (Sarah) Thomas, Euclid, OH, Ervin (Bettie) Thomas, Dallas, GA and Carl Thomas, Sardis, AL, a godson Shawn (Carmalita) Thomas, Kokomo, IN sisters-in-law Deola Gordon, Hudson, OH and Lola Rudolph, Garfield Heights, OH; brothers-in-laws Roosevelt (Carrie) Rudolph, Toledo, OH Aheart (Nora) Rudolph, Southington, OH and Henry (Barbara) Rudolph, Oakwood Village, OH and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Archie Thomas, Jr. and Jesse Thomas and a sister Bessie Thomas. A service celebrating the life of Zelma Rudolph will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the Peru, Church of the Brethren, 134 E. 5th Street, Peru, IN with Pastor Phil Cruea officiating. Graveside Services will be at the Marion National Cemetery at 1:00 PM, Monday May 7, 2018. Family and friends will gather from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Peru Church of the Brethren. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made through the funeral home to the American Heart Association.