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Helen Marie Cooley

Dec 3, 1938 - Nov 9, 2011
Helen M. Cooley died at her home at the Owl Creek Apartments in Riverton on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, she was 82. Graveside services are at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Mountain View Cemetery in Riverton. The Rev. Mark Thurman of the United Methodist Church of Riverton will officiate. Helen Marie Williams was born in McLean, Ill., near, Bloomington, Ill., on Dec. 3, 1938, the daughter of Joe Routt Williams and Martha Belle (Frost) Williams. She attended Franklin Elementary School, Clark Township, elementary and high schools and was graduated in 1947 from Whiteland High School, all in Johnson County, IN. On May 7, 1948, she married John W. "Bill" Cooley in Franklin, IN. They lived in Indiana, Minnesota and, in retirement, moved to Texas. A few years after her husband's death, Mrs. Cooley moved to Riverton to be nearer her sister, Jo Fuechsel. Mrs. Cooley's office work in billing and as a proofreader in billing started at Lumberman's Inc. Company, with the State Department of Water, Game, and Wildlife, and she worked for 17 years at Diamond Chain Company, all in Indianapolis, IN. After her husband's transfer to Minnesota, she worked at Toro Mfg. Company in Bloomington, Minn., for two years. A member of the United Methodist Church since the age of 16, she was active in the First United Methodist Church in Donna, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley co-chaired the finance board and Mrs. Cooley continued on the board following her husband's death, led successful financial drives, and ultimately served on the church board of directors. She moved to San Angelo, Texas, to be near her sister, Stella Barnhizer. Mrs. Cooley was an avid reader and engaged in sewing. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley were active in water sports, especially water skiing, golf, enjoyed yard work, and music. Mrs. Cooley is survived by her sister, Josephine "Jo" Fuechsel of Riverton. She was preceded in death by her parents, 6 brothers and 3 sisters. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association or church of the donors choice. On-line condolences for the family may be made at: theDavisFuneralHome.com. Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.