Memorials

Betty J. Helfrich, 83, formerly of Columbia City, died at 12:05 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
She was born March 25, 1925 in Smith Township, Whitley County, a daughter of William Glenn and Ellen C. (Goodman) Shook. Her formative years were spent in Whitley County. She graduated from Larwill High School.
On September 18, 1943, she was united in marriage to William O.V. Helfrich. They made their home in Montgomery, Alabama, for three years, then moved to Whitley County. In 1971, they moved to Waterloo until 1984, to Fort Wayne until October 1988, when they moved into Columbia City. In 2001, they moved to the Peabody Home in North Manchester until 2005 when they returned to Columbia City.

In June 2008 they moved to Auburn to live with their daughter, Lin. Mr. Helfrich died December 5, 2008.
She worked for Whitley Products for a year, and assisted with the operations of V & H Oil Company from 1966 until 1971, and Dairy Queen in Waterloo from nine years.
Her memberships included Columbia City United Methodist Church.
Surviving relatives include a son, Richard L. “Rick” (JoAnn) Helfrich of Auburn; two daughters, Carol Ann (Carlos) Buckles of Columbia City and Linda J. “Lin” Helfrich of Auburn; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren;; and a sister, Joan DeLor of Detroit, Michigan.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Sarah E. Shook and a brother, Robert L. Shook.
The funeral service will be held Friday, 10:30 a.m. at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with Rev. Kenneth Walker, pastor of Argos United Methodist Church officiating. The burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Larwill. The visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to Arthritis Foundation.