Helen E. Deatsman, 94, of Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, and formerly of Leesburg, died at 8:09 p.m. April 26, 2009, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw.
She was born Dec. 20, 1914, in Warsaw, to Harry and Hazel Smith Beatty. On Oct. 13, 1947, in Leesburg, she married Walter R. Deatsman, who died in 1985.
She was raised on a farm outside of Leesburg, where she and Walter also farmed and raised their family. She worked for People State Bank, retiring after many years. She was a lifetime member of Leesburg United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. She graduated from Leesburg High School in 1932. She was a member of Lydia Circle, Dorcas Sewing Circle and a former member of Tri Arts Club and Delta Theta Tau Sorority. Upon retirement, she and Walter moved to Tippecanoe River, Oswego, where they loved the friendship of their river neighbors. From her porch, she enjoyed many hours waving at boaters and watching ducks and geese swim and feed. She also spent many winters in Stuart, Fla., where she made friends from many states that she later would love to write.
Surviving are a daughter, Gene (and spouse Chuck) Marshall, Leesburg; two sons, Ross (and spouse Lana) Deatsman and Max (and spouse Gina) Deatsman, all of Leesburg; six grandchildren: Trishell (and spouse Jim) Smith; Kim (and spouse Jason) Bledsoe; Ben Deatsman; Joy (and spouse Luke) Lauritsen; Brian (and spouse Janelle) Deatsman; Renee Deatsman (and fiancé Quentin Overbeck); five great-grandchildren: Kerstin and Haley Bledsoe; Zack and Isabelle Smith; and Colin Deatsman.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, with Pastor Mike Heath officiating. Burial will be in Leesburg Cemetery.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to Leesburg United Methodist Church, 111 W. Prairie St., Leesburg, IN. 46538, or Leesburg Lions Club.
Condolences may be sent to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
