Helen M. Wales of Polo, passed away, Monday July 3 at Heritage Square where she had made her home for the past 4 months. She was born Nov. 16, 1933 and was the daughter of Frank and H. Lucile Wales.
Helen grew up loving animals, especially horses, and spent many happy hours helping her Granddad on his farm.
Graduating from Polo schools in 1951, Helen then graduated from Manchester College with an additional degree from Northwestern University. She worked as a physical therapist, specializing in infant and children’s needs for over 57 years. During that time, she designed several devises to help in the care of the children she served. Her career took her to Rockford Memorial Hospital, Dixon State School, Children’s Development Center of Rockford, Swedish American Hospital home care, and the Ogle Co. School system.
Helen spent her adult life living on the farm that once belonged to her Grandmother and Granddad. She enjoyed raising purebred collies, Pomeranians, cattle, sheep, goats, horses and even canaries. She also enjoyed working on family genealogy. Helen was a life-long active member of the Polo Church of the Brethren, serving in many capacities including teaching children’s Sunday school for many years. Helen also enjoyed playing dominoes with her church friends, and her genealogy get-togethers with her family group.
Helen travelled the world, often with the Church of the Brethren mission programs and cherished the memories of those times.
Throughout her life, Helen was always caring, kind, and generous. Her mindset was to always make life better for others.
Helen is survived by sisters, Joyce Person and Adrienne Hiatt, brother-in-law, Don Deardorff, and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Wilbur Bowman, sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and David Brown, sisters, Patricia Deardorff and Betty Capling, and brother-in-law, Richard Person. Also, preceded by siblings John and Sherry Hiatt, nephew, Greg Bowman, great nephew, Tim Bowman.
Arrangements are being handled by Polo Family Funeral Home, where visitation will be held on Monday, July 10th with family time at 9:30 a.m., public visitation at 10.00 a.m. Graveside services at 11:00 a.m. at Fairmount Cemetery. Following the service, there will be a lunch and fellowship at the Church of the Brethren, Polo. Instead of flowers, memorials can be made in Helen’s name to the Village of Progress in Oregon, or Serenity House, also in Oregon.
Condolences may be sent to pffh.condolences@gmail.com.
