Helen DeLong

Helen DeLong, 98, of Benton Harbor, MI went home to be with her Lord Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Pine Ridge Rehab and Nursing Center.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 W. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor with Pastor Dr. J.O. Hosler officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to World Vision, P.O. Box 70003, Tacoma, WA 98481-0003. Those wishing to share a memory of Helen online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com  Helen was born on Pavone Street, September 24, 1916 in Benton Harbor, MI to Adolph and Anna (Spitzke) Henke. On June 5, 1937 she married Glenn “Willis” DeLong at Clay Street Baptist Church in Benton Harbor. Helen worked for V-M Corporation from 1952 until 1970. She was a member of V-M Old-timers and Napier Parkview Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting booties and blankets for Birth Right and also enjoyed tending to her garden.  Helen is survived by her daughters Donna (Donald) Kelly of Benton Harbor and Joan Phillips of Deerfield Beach, FL; daughters-in-law Nancy DeLong and Ingrid DeLong of St. Joseph; 13 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; many great great grandchildren; and sister Beverly (Pete) Ruppel of St. Joseph; Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons James & Robert DeLong, brother Arthur Henke, sister Gladys Stuck, grandson Larry DeLong and great great granddaughter Savannah Kelly.