Obituary: Helen Marie (Taylor) Tomlinson

February 9, 1931 – February 9, 2024

Helen Marie (Taylor) Tomlinson, 93, of Orleans, passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, at her residence.

Born February 9, 1931, in Sparta, Illinois, she was the daughter of John Taylor and Nancy (Dunn) McManus.
She married James Morris Tomlinson on July 3, 1953, and he preceded her in death on February 12, 1984.

Helen was a homemaker. She was the oldest member of Hillcrest Christian Church, where she was active in the women’s group. Helen was also a member of Pathfinders and GFWC Women’s Club. She was a great cook and enjoyed hosting family and friends. She also enjoyed going out to eat. Helen would welcome anyone into her home. She loved her church, family, and friends and enjoyed shopping for them at the Orleans Farmer’s Market.

Survivors include her daughter, Denise Bales of Orleans; granddaughters, Jennifer (Marty) Meyer of Orleans and Beth Ann (Ian Macdonald) Bales of Bedford; great-grandchildren, Emma Thompson, Drake Thompson, Evelyn Thompson, and James Meyer; and great-great-granddaughter, Malena Thompson.

Her parents, daughter, Susan Tomlinson, and siblings, Reva Barrett, Daisy Strande, Vernon “Tom” Taylor, and Inez Farley, preceded her in death.

The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 12, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with Brother Mark Fugate and Luke Stultz officiating. Burial will follow at Mitchell Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center.

Memorial gifts can be made in Helen’s memory to Hillcrest Christian Church and Hoosier Uplands Hospice

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com