Helen Searight died peacefully at home in Chesterton on June 14, 2012, with her daughters by her side.

Helen was born on July 28, 1917, to Andrew and Helen Charles in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She married Norton B. Searight and they moved to South Bend in 1953 for Nort’s position with the Associates Corporation.

Helen is survived by her daughters Nancy (Michael) Anton of Chesterton, and Susan Searight of South Bend; grandchildren Deborah (David) McDonald of Acworth, Georgia, Julie Watson and Claude Watson, of Littleton, Colo., Marcia Allred of Kennesaw, Georgia, Lee Ann (Javier) Searight of Chicago, Ill., Michael (Julie) Anton and Julie (Christopher) Braveman, of Chesterton, James (Nicole) Anton of Valparaiso, Megan (Richard) Levendowski of Westville, and Douglas (Tiffany) Anton of Plymouth, Mich.

Helen is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, along with loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Helen is also survived by Bertha ‘Birdie’ Schramm, of Valparaiso, her loving caregiver and a dear friend who helped care for her the past few years.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Nort, their son Scott C. Searight, grandson Scott P. Searight, and daughter-in-law Diane Wilkins, her Dee. Helen was also preceded in death by her brother John Charles.

Since her stroke, Helen has resided alternately with her daughters in South Bend and Chesterton. Throughout her rehab and subsequent need for more support, she continued to participate actively in her family life and was loved and supported by many in her two communities. Helen enjoyed attending First United Methodist Churches in Chesterton and South Bend when she was able during those years. Her happiest moments were when she was surrounded by her family, and she had a wonderful 90th birthday gathering in Pittsburgh, still her hometown after so many years.

Helen worked as a secretary prior to her marriage and was a stay at home mom while raising her children. In Helen’s later years, she returned to secretarial work, working as a church secretary at Skycrest United Methodist Church in Clearwater, Fla. and upon returning to the South Bend area worked at the American Red Cross.

Helen loved her home, garden, reading and had strong opinions on current events and politics that she'd share with a good listener. She also loved to go shopping with her daughters and granddaughters, especially if there was a root beer float some time in the day.

Visitation will be held at Welsheimer’s Funeral Home, Cleveland Road, South Bend, Ind., on Monday, June 18, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

The funeral will be on Tuesday, June 19, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Joe Valley Memorial Park. Rev. Mary Hubbard, First United Methodist Church of South Bend, will officiate.

The family requests contributions in Helen's memory to the St. Joseph County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Local arrangements were handled through Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, Ind.

Posted 6/15/2018