Helen L. Struble

Helen Struble, 94, of Goshen, died unexpectedly early Saturday morning, August 27, 2011, at IU Health Goshen Hospital where she had been a patient two weeks after a sudden onset of illness. She was born March 2, 1917 in Goshen to the late Noble and Florence (Cripe) Neterer. She married Ralph H. Struble on March 28, 1937. He died February 27, 1986. She is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Humbarger of Bristol, and Deborah (Gregory) Pollock of Goshen; five grandchildren, Adam Humbarger, Jessica Pardieck, Leslie and Brandon Pollock, and Angela Kingsbury; four great-grandchildren, Thomas Kingsbury, Tyler and Rachel Humbarger, and Carter Pardieck. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet Healey: a brother, Joseph, who was killed in Germany during WWII; and a sister, Christine Neterer. A homemaker, she had also worked at Penn Controls, Plain & Fancy Restaurant, and most recently at Model School. A 1935 graduate of Goshen High School, she was a longtime member of First Brethren Church of Goshen where she served as a deaconess and also taught the younger Sunday School classes for over 40 years. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and in later years she was well known for her fine handwork, making baby quilts for her great-grandchildren. She took great pleasure in traveling, especially her trips to Hawaii and the Holy Land. An enthusiastic Notre Dame fan, she attended many of their games. She also enjoyed watching IU Basketball and the Olympics on television. She was a faithful attendee of her children and grandchildren's sporting and musical events. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joys of her life and she was devoted to them. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 30, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Pastor John Drexler of First Brethren Church of Goshen will officiate. Burial will follow West Goshen Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to Brethren Retreat Center or United Cancer Services of Elkhart County or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.