Helen Whitcomb

Helen Whitcomb, 91, of Marshalltown, died Saturday, May 29th, at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. A family graveside service will be held at the Spencer Cemetery near Sheridan, Hamilton County, Indiana, on Saturday, June 5th. There will be no local services. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Helen and her family. Ph 641-844-1234. Born on August 28th, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland, she was one of six children born to Winfield and Blanch (Kleinhem) Smith. She received her education in Baltimore and at age 14, began working at a can factory to help support her family. During WWII, she was employed at Bendix Corporation. Helen was married to Frank Hall and to that union three children were born. He passed away leaving her to raise three young children and she later married Edwin Whitcomb. Their new family was joined by two more children. They moved to Noblesville, Indiana and later Sheridan, Indiana where she was a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking and fishing. Mr. Whitcomb preceded her in death in 1982. In 1995, after the death of her daughter, Peggy, she was cared for by her daughter June and after she relocated to Houston, TX, Helen moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, to be near her daughter Pat. She made her home right next door until her death. She enjoyed it there and was greeted daily by her grand-dog, Zoe. Left to cherish her memory are her three children: William Hall of Seminole, FL, Pat (Lowell) McColley of Marshalltown and June Piper (Richard Moore) of Corona, CA., 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren as well as her sister-in-law Carmen Burgess of Chesapeake, VA and nieces, nephews and other family. In death, she rejoined her husbands Frank and Edwin, her parents, son Harry, daughter Peggy Schimmel, four sisters and one brother.