Helen Halferty

HELEN L. HALFERTY

Helen L. Halferty, age 72, of Wyaconda, MO, died Wednesday, December 26, 2007, at the Madonna Rehab Hospital in Lincoln, NE, following heart surgery this past May.

She was born March 10, 1935, in rural Lomax, IL, one of eight children of Fred and Hazel Waterman Nixon.

She graduated from Terre Haute Community High School, rural LaHarpe, IL, where she met her future husband, Robert L. Halferty. They were married on January 15, 1955, in LaHarpe, and would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Survivors include her husband, Robert, of Wyaconda, MO; a daughter, Lisa Arnold and her husband, Brandon, of Moberly, MO; a brother, George Nixon of Lomax, IL; two sisters, Mary Waddell and Irene Jones, both of Burlington, IA; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Wilda and Jim Arnold of Burlington, IA and Cay and Weldon Brown of LeClaire, IA; as well as nieces and nephews and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Gary Wayne and Dennis Lee Halferty who died in a tragic house fire on May 13, 1972; three brothers: Glen, Howard, and Earnest Nixon; and a sister, Ethel LaFord.

Helen was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was meticulous in all that she did and excelled at baking and quilting and never left a stone unturned. She worked for the good of the community and was instrumental in bringing the clinic to Wyaconda, spending hours raising money for the fire department and promoting the blood drive. Whenever she heard of a need, she was willing to do what she could to help.

She was a member of the Wyaconda Baptist Church and of the Red Hat Society and loved spending time with her friends visiting and walking. She also enjoyed caring for her flowers and spending time fishing.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 29, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Ernest Deatrick and Pastor Mark Chinnis officiating. Burial was in the Revere Cemetery.

Memorials were suggested to the Wyaconda Fire Department of the Wyaconda Baptist Church.

Arrangements are being handled by Wilson Funeral Home.