Helen Jean (Karle) DeArment, 91, of Homewood in Martinsburg, died Monday. She was born in Altoona to parents John and Effie (Reffner) Karle.
She graduated from Altoona High School in 1949.
On September 15, 1950, she married Robert E. DeArment at Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church in Altoona. He preceded her in death on May 4, 2014, after 63 years of marriage.
Surviving are his children: Linda (William) Kennedy, Susan DeArment, Bobbi (Thomas) Bollinger and Brenda Quirin, all of Altoona, and Debra (Barry) Geesey of Hollidaysburg, Donna (Bruce) Wicks of Bellwood and Polly Hester of Bangor, Pa. . .; and daughter-in-law, Lisa DeArment of Manchester, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy, in 1951; a son, James, in 2023; great-grandson, Evan Zona, in 2021; and siblings: Herman Karle, John Karle, Earl Karle and Irene Blanchard.
She has 14 grandchildren: Robert Kennedy, Amber (Shane) Reffner, Tommy Bollinger and Heather (Brian) Kinser, of Altoona, Jenn (Travis) Liegy of Cathedral City, California, Alexander Geesey of Denver, Colorado, Ashley (Matt ) Trexler of Sebring, Fla., Justin Clatterbaugh and Jessi Wriker (Nick) of Chambersburg, Nicole Cobler of Bangor, Pa., and Johnathan, Anna, Lydia and Lauren DeArment. Also surviving are 12 great-grandchildren: Elijanna Kennedy, Chason Liegy, Kaya Newell, River and Rowan Cherry, Mason Trexler, Kip, Renley and Mackie Reffner and Lucas, Landon and Levi Kinser.
When her children grew up, Helen worked at Kmart Altoona in the automotive department from 1977 to 1988.
She was a former Sunday school teacher and treasurer of the Women's Guild of Salem UCC, Altoona. After retirement, she and her husband volunteered in the medical records department at Altoona Hospital. She was a member of Faith UCC, Altoona.
Helen made many Barbie clothes for her daughters when they were young and loved detailed craft and cross-stitch projects. She looked forward to letters from her lifelong pen pal dating back to 1946. Later, she enjoyed collecting Precious Moments, working on puzzles, reading and traveling with her husband.
She and her husband were longtime independent residents of the Homewood retirement community in Martinsburg. A special thank you to all the caregivers and support staff who supported us over the past several years as Mom transitioned to their memory care center. Their kindness and compassion towards Mom and our family was exceptional.
Friends and family will be received from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at The Good Funeral Home Inc., 108 Alto-Reste Park, Altoona, with Pastor Jerry McCuller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Helen's honor to Homewood at Martinsburg, Benevolent Fund, 437 Givler Drive, Martinsburg, PA 16662.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com.