Helen R. Roach Hengsteler, 91, went home to meet the Lord, having passed away at Heartland in Bellefontaine, Ohio on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 6:30 a.m.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
She was born in Pleasant Township, outside of DeGraff on October 13, 1912, a daughter of the late Joseph and Barbara Ann Burns Gates. She attended Quincy Local School.
On March 6, 1933 the late Rev. A. W. Denlinger married her and Sanford Gail Roach in DeGraff. He died March 5, 1940. On September 2, 1962 she married Vaughn Hengsteler. He died December 16, 1984.
She was a member of the DeGraff United Methodist Church. She retired from Mid-States Container in DeGraff after 25 years.
Helen was an avid gardener; she tended her flowers and vegetable garden every day. She had one of the most beautiful flower gardens in DeGraff. She was also an excellent cook, known for her homemade noodles and chocolate pie.
Survivors include one son, Donald E. (La Quita) Roach of DeGraff, one daughter, Dorothy M. Van Buskirk (Fred) of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Six grandchildren, Connie Jo (Van Buskirk) Miller, Centerville, Ohio, Michael Van Buskirk, Bellefontaine, Ohio, Debra (Roland) Yackee, Van Wert, Ohio, Gary McMillen, Houston Tx., Curtis (Rebecca) Roach, and Scott (Misty) Roach both of DeGraff. Ten great-grandchildren, Sara and Phillip Yackee, Jamie and Gregory Miller, Justin Van Buskirk and Stephanie, Kelli, Matthew, Cody and Courtney Roach.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ruth Ellen (Roach) McMillen on May 27, 1997. A son-in-law, Harvey McMillen, lives in Van Wert, Ohio.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Iona Chandler and Carrie Thomas; and five brothers, William, Omer, Harlan, Wilbur and Sherman Gates.
The Rev. Floyd Lundy will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m., Wednesday at the Rexer-Riggin-Madden Funeral Home in DeGraff. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in the Greenwood-Union Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Riverside Emergency Squad.
