Jan. 16, 1916 - Jan. 3, 2012
LAKEVILLE - Helen A. Gillis, 95, of Lakeville, IN passed away at 4:35 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012 in her home. She was born on January 16, 1916 in Lakeville, IN to Elmer and Rose (Walter) Richard. She married Everett H. Gillis at Homecoming at the County Line Brethren Church, Lakeville, IN on September 9, 1933 and remained a lifelong resident. Mrs. Gillis is survived by five grandchildren: Beverly (Dave) Braniff, Steve (Fran) Newcomb, Vicky (Tim) Terpening, Anita (Dale) Martin and Brian Beeman, all of Lakeville, IN; sons-in-law, Dale Beeman and William Newcomb, both of Lakeville, IN; foster son, Dale (Barbie) Craft of Venice, FL; ten great grandchildren; fifteen great great grandchildren; two foster grandchildren, Kimmy and Kevin and nine foster great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Everett Gillis on November 2, 2004; two daughters, Betty Beeman on June 20, 2005 and Delores Newcomb on May 28, 2009; grandson, Bob Newcomb and two brothers, Marion and Millard Richard. Mrs. Gillis was a farmer and a long term member of the Union Township Farm Bureau, joining in 1943, where she also served as a secretary-treasurer. She retired in 1978 after ten years as a school bus driver for Union North United School Corporation. Mrs. Gillis was the first woman given a contract to drive a bus for the Union North United School Corporation in February 1968. She was a member of the Indiana State School Bus Driver Association. She was a lifelong member and Deaconess of the County Line Brethren Church. She was recently a member of the Pine Creek Church of the Brethren. Mrs. Gillis volunteered at Real Services. She enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Switzerland and Germany and wintered in Avon Park, FL where she volunteered at the Heartland Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2012 in the Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, 25075 Stanton Road, North Liberty, IN. Rev. Steve Van Houten will officiate. Burial will follow in County Line Cemetery, Lakeville. The family will receive friends from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday in the church and one hour prior to the services on Saturday. Palmer Funeral Home-Lakeville is assisting the family with arrangements. Contributions in memory of Helen A. Gillis may be offered to Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, 25075 Stanton Road, North Liberty, IN 46554 or to The Center for Hospice Care, 112 S. Center St., Suite C, Plymouth, IN 46563. Online condolences may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on January 6, 2012