Helene V. Harper

Helene V. Harper, age 93, of Cromwell, IN passed away Monday April 20, 2009 at 3:15 PM at Miller’s Merry Manor in Syracuse, IN.

She was born July 17, 1915 in Essex, Ontario Canada to John & Mary (Simon) VanAman. She married Harmon M. Harper on December 9, 1939 he preceded in 1957. She was a lifetime area resident.

After Helene’s father passed away unexpectedly she worked from the age of 12 until she was 24 in her mother’s beauty shop so her siblings could attend college. She went on to become a business woman that owned and operated the Cromwell Feed Mill from 1955 until 1999 when she retired at the age of 83.

She was a member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ligonier, Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club, Cromwell Business Association, was a 4-H leader for many years, & Grand Marshall of the bicentennial parade in Cromwell. She was honored by the Cromwell Kimmell Lion’s Club through the establishment of the Helen Harper Good Samaritan Award.


She is survived by 4 daughters: Mary Esther (Ron) Pullin of Waterloo, Iowa; Rebecca (David) Gibson of Bozeman, MT; Betty Jo (Tom) Pultz of Samamish, WA; Susan (Ron) Harper-Dorman of Ft.Wayne; 3 sons: Edward (Janet) Harper of Cromwell; Tim Harper of Cromwell; Daniel (Julie) Harper of Syracuse; 1 daughter- in- law: Cheryl Harper of Syracuse, 17 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, a brother: Jack VanAman of Pinelles Park, FL; and a sister: Nina Rohm of Cromwell.

Helene was preceded in death by her husband, an infant daughter Betsy Jane in 1948, a son Tom in 2004, a brother Bill VanAman, & a sister Mary Calbeck.


A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 10AM in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ligonier with Father Richard Hire Officiating.
Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Ligonier, IN.

Friends may call Friday April 24, 2009 from 3-8 PM at Yeager Funeral Home- 1589 Linconlway South; Ligonier, IN 46767. Memorial Contributions may be made to Heifer Project International- 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR/USA 72202 or the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club