Edna Helfenstine

Edna Helfenstine has gone home to be with Jesus, whom she loves. Born to George and Lula Alexander of Hamilton on October 30, 1921, the youngest of three daughters; she finished this life peacefully at her home in Darrtown on April 7, 2013, surrounded by family and friends.

Married to Herman Marcum in 1937, they had six children and were husband and wife for more than twenty years, during which she took on ironing and housecleaning jobs, and built with her own hands the house her family lived in. After a time as a single mother, she married the love of her life, Charles "Lee" Helfenstine, in 1963. The following year they moved to Darrtown, turning a small house into a large home by way of their God-given gifts of hospitality and generosity. They did life and family and ministry together until Lee’s passing in 1998.

Though Edna had minimal schooling, the lessons of life were certainly not lost on her. Through the hardships of the Great Depression, single parenting, and the everyday challenges of making ends meet, she held fast to the words of the Bible hero, Nehemiah: "The joy of the Lord is [my] strength." Through the loss of a husband, two sons, two sons-in-law, and two great-grandsons, she held fast to the words of Jesus: "I am the resurrection and the life…" Her steadfast faith and constant prayers have been a light, a testimony, and a life-lesson to all who have known and loved her.

A life well-lived often leaves many loved ones behind. In Edna’s case, these include: daughters Barbara Johnson of Darrtown, Janet Hamblin of Darrtown, and Diana (Phillip) Wisecup of Hanover Township; daughter-in-law Patsy Marcum of Knoxville, Tennessee; son Randy (Terri) of Laurel, Indiana; 15 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; plus many other family members and friends. She will always be remembered for her determination, her unconditional love, her common sense, her love for Jesus most of all, and even for how she always said exactly what was on her mind. Though we’re at peace with her passing from death to life, she will be sorely missed.

Funeral service will be held at the Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 2:00 PM with Pastor John Johnson of Cobblestone Community Church officiating. Burial will follow in Darrtown Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.