Helen Weller

Helen Ruth Weller, age 91, of Middleton, MI passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at Arbor Grove Assisted Living in Alma, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI on Friday, October 25, 2013, at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. H. Jack Miller Jr. officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Alma, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home.

Helen was born in Wild Rose, Wisconsin on February 4, 1922, the daughter of Anton Carl and Maria Theresa (Galowitsch) Treiber. Helen was the 5th of 5 children. She had 2 older brothers, Joseph and Ervin, both deceased and 2 older sisters, Evelyn, deceased and Lilly who celebrated her 100th birthday last December. Helen attended school in Rock Creek, Ohio until 1935. At the age of 13, Helen lost both of her parents. Helen then moved to Alma, Michigan to live with her sister, Evelyn (Treiber) Fulton and her husband. Evelyn was killed in an auto accident leaving Helen at age 17, a senior in Alma High School. Following Evelyn's death, Helen moved in with the Marshall Family and became their nanny. She graduated from Alma High School at the top of her class and received a scholarship to Central Michigan University where she had hoped to attend for nursing. Unfortunately, she didn't have the means to get to Central so she was unable to attend.

She later met Wayne roller skating, one of Helen's pastimes. On October 29, 1940, she and Wayne married at Rochester Colony, North East of St. Johns, Michigan. Wayne and Helen started their life together in Ithaca later moving to Grand Rapids before Wayne enlisted to serve in World War II. While Wayne was overseas serving, Helen delivered their first son, James. Upon returning from the war, they rented a farm and started a dairy farm. Helen then had the twins, Ronald and Patricia and 2 years later gave birth to their youngest son, Richard. In 1953, Helen and Wayne purchased their lifelong homestead near Middleton. They built the dairy which has been operated by the next two generations.

Helen had a caring heart and enjoyed visiting friends, shut-ins, and helping many in need. She and Wayne enjoyed their large garden, wintering in Florida, and she was an avid reader. She always had homemade cookies for her family when they stopped in to visit. She was an active member of the Middleton United Methodist Church. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were blessed to have such a strong influence in their lives.

She is survived by her children; son James and Sally Weller of Middleton, MI, son Ron and Connie Weller of Alma, MI, daughter Pat Slagell of Pompeii, MI, and son Dick and Kathy Weller of St. Johns, MI, 8 grandchildren; Nancy and Phil Rogers of Ashley, MI, John and Karen Weller of Middleton, MI, Annette and Kevin Collison of Middleton, MI, Rob Slagell of Pompeii, MI, Lynette Weller of Middleton, MI, Michelle and Barry Davis of Middleton, MI, Danielle and Ryan Robinson of Lansing, MI, and Rochelle and Ethan Rein of Lansing, MI, 12 great grandchildren, and a sister Lilly Nutter of Warren, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne in February 2001, 2 brothers Ervin and Joseph, and a sister Evelyn.

Memorials may be made to Mid Michigan Hospice. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.

Read Helen Weller's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.