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Joan Marie (Richmond) Helf, age 88, of Edgerton, Ohio, slipped away peacefully on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Dream Haven Assisted Living in Edgerton, surrounded by her family and loved ones, to be reunited with her husband of nearly sixty-five years, Merv, and her Savior in Heaven. Joan spent her life being a devoted wife and mother. Nothing was more important to her than her faith and her family. As their children grew up, Merv and Joan could always be found on the sidelines or in the audience at whatever event each of the kids was involved in, cheering them on. She was a wonderful cook most known among her family and friends for her scalloped potatoes and ham and her batter rolls. Merv and the kids would always be at the table with butter and jelly waiting for those rolls to come out of the oven. Over the years, she hosted many family birthdays, anniversaries, showers and other events at the family home in Edgerton. Joan worked in the cafeteria of the Edgerton Middle School, as a dishwasher at Bob’s Dairy Bar in Edgerton, and at her son’s store, Cardinal Crafts in Bryan. She was active in her church, Trinity Bible Church in Edgerton, and in the community. Merv and Jo were involved in their later years with the Edgerton Senior Center, where they began delivering dinners to shut-ins in the Edgerton area. For many years they delivered meals prepared from their home on Thanksgiving and Christmas to shut-ins, which became a favorite family project each year under their guidance. Jo was also active with John D. Smith Post #10 Legion Auxiliary and the Pythian Sisters. Merv and Jo liked to travel, so once they both retired, they took to the road. Their adventures took them to many of the states in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They actually visited Alaska a few times, attending the graduations of two of their grandchildren. Their other grandchild graduated locally and they didn’t miss that either.
The daughter of Charles and Emma Sirny and Earl Richmond, Joan was born on September 14, 1929, in Three Rivers, Michigan. She married her husband of nearly sixty-five years, Mervin C. Helf, on September 20, 1948, in Defiance, Ohio, and he preceded her in death on April 20, 2013.
Surviving are her children, Donald M. (Linda) Helf, of Pioneer, Ohio, Diane Helf, of Bryan, Ohio, Ken (Robyn) Helf, of Butler, Indiana, and Terry (Penny) Helf, of Flintstone, Georgia; three grandchildren, Florin, Alisha and Garrett Helf; one great-grandson, Jaxon Levi Zehr; a sister-in-law, Esther Richmond, of Palmer, Alaska; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Earl Richmond.
Joan will be missed by her family and friends. She was known as Jo, Joan, Mrs. Helf, Mom, Gramma, G.G. and Aunt Jo. We will keep her forever in our hearts.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 4, 2018, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 114 East Hull Street, Edgerton. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at 11:00 A.M. in Trinity Bible Church, Edgerton, with Pastor Matt Brown officiating. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M., in the church. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Memorials are requested to the Dream Haven Assisted Living Activity Fund.
To sign the online register or to send condolences, please visit www.krillfuneralservice.com.