Hettie Mae Helton

Hettie Mae Helton, age 89, formerly of rural Fort Scott, more recently of Country View Nursing Home in Prescott, Kan., died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, at the nursing home. She was born Sept. 10, 1918, in Stratton, Colo., the daughter of Frank Louis Beattie and Daisy Pugh Beattie. She married Edwin Helton on her 16th birthday in 1934 in Stratton, Colo. They were married 73 years. She was a member of the Hammond United Methodist Church. As a young woman she enjoyed horses and playing softball. Later in life she loved gardening, sewing, and listening to gospel music.

Hettie is survived by her husband, Edwin Helton; six sons, Donald Helton (Patricia), Pueblo, Colo., Dean Helton (Sue), Pueblo, Colo., Dennis Helton (Ann), Fort Scott, Gary Helton (Luella), Carl Junction, Mo., Darrell Helton (Caroline), Nixa, Mo., Dale Helton (Alice), Fort Scott; two daughters, Margie Jones (Thurman), Springfield, Ore., and Mary Sheperd (Loyal), Carl Junction, Mo.; sister, Frances Loraine, Philomath, Ore.; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Louis, James, and Frank Beattie; three sisters, Blanche Dove, Mary Klotzbaugh, and Gladys Clair; and grandson, Robert Helton.

Funeral services for Hettie Helton will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 16, at the Cheney Witt Chapel, officiated by pastor Vida Williams Huens. Burial will follow in the West Liberty Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday evening, at Cheney Witt. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hammond United Methodist Church and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS, 66701. Words of sympathy may be e-mailed to the family at condolences@cheneywitt.com.