Helen Brightwell

HELEN F. BRIGHTWELL

Helen F. Brightwell, age 91, of Kahoka, MO, died unexpectedly Wednesday, December 2, 2009, in the emergency room of Keokuk Area Hospital.

She was born August 31, 1918 in Des Moines, IA, a daughter of Travis and Myrtle Wells Green. In 1932, they moved to Clark County, MO, where she graduated from Kahoka High School with the class of 1936.

She married Earl Fish in 1938 and to this union a daughter, Michaelin, was born. They later divorced and in 1951 she married A. W. Brightwell. To this union one son, Jonathan, was born.

Survivors include her daughter, Michaelin "Mikie" O'Bryant and her husband, Ray, of Kahoka, MO; a son, Jonathan Brightwell and his wife, Annette, of Cedar Rapids, IA; a step-son, Jim Brightwell and his wife, Linda, of Keokuk, IA; good friend, Mary Ann Brightwell of Hamilton, IL; two grandchildren, Shelby and Haley Brightwell of Cedar Rapids, IA; two step-grandchildren, Sameta Riddle and her husband, Larry, of Hamilton, IL, and Tracy Kraft and her husband, Mike, of Macomb, IL; and, a step great-grandchild, Angela Riddle of Hamilton,IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Art Brightwell; and a sister, Lois Gordon and her husband, Clyde, of Brookfield, MO.

Helen retired from the U. S. Department of Agriculture in 1983 following 30 years of employment. She was a member of the Kahoka Christian Church, serving as treasurer of the C.W.F. for many years. Helen was a volunteer and board member of the American Cancer Society and also treasurer of the Local Clark Co. Cancer Fund for many years. She was a former board member of the Sever Library, Vice-Chairman of the Clark Co. Health Department, and of OATS, where she served as secretary and treasurer for eight years. She was Past Matron of Kahoka Chapter # 40, Order of the Eastern Star.

Volunteering and community were a very important part of Helen's life, however, she was also an accomplished seamstress, an avid reader, and more importantly, a loving mother.

Funeral services were held Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Jim Campbell officiating.

Burial was in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Memorials were suggested to the H. E. Sever Memorial Library or the Kahoka Christian Church.