Helen Cramer
Helen Cramer, 86, of Rochester, passed away at 10:50 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, at Visiting Nurse Hospice of Fort Wayne.
In Springfield, Ohio, on Sept. 2, 1931, Helen L. Schilliger was born. She was a daughter of Daniel and Anna Mary Wilson Schilliger. Cramer attended Mechanicsburg High School in Mechanicsburg, Ohio. At age 50 she returned to college to pursue a lifelong dream, earning her RN degree at IU-Kokomo. She specialized in pediatric nursing working at Duke’s Memorial Hospital, Peru for 14 years then retiring.
Helen and Stanley Arthur Cramer Sr. were married on Oc. 4, 1958 near Springfield Ohio. They shared nearly 57 years of life’s adventures. From their union came seven wonderful children. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.
Gifted with her hands, Cramer was an extraordinary seamstress making many of her children’s clothing during their formative years. She annually planted a vegetable garden and enjoyed keeping the yard and flowers meticulously groomed. From her kitchen she baked onion bread and cakes every week. As a lifelong traveler, Cramer enjoyed travel and cruises sharing adventures and making memories with her adult children.
Left to cherish Cramer’s memory are five children: Linda Snowberger and husband Carl of Lafayette; Stanley Cramer Jr. and wife Nancy of Stoughton, WI; Emma Salkill, of Cleveland, NC; Theresa Neil and husband Bob of Kokomo; Jennifer Babcock and husband Don, of Rochester; son-in-law: Dave Tharp of Peru; 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren; 2 sisters Ruth Doggett of Springfield, Ohio, Barbara Bechem of Tulsa, OK, a brother John Schilliger and wife Janet of Urbana, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Cramer in death are her parents, beloved husband Stanley on March 14, 2015, daughter: Lois Tharp on Sept. 1, 2003 , a son: Daniel Moore on March 14, 2017; a granddaughter, a grandson, a great grandson, a sister: Nettie Vest, and a brother: Daniel Schilliger Jr.
A celebration of the life of Helen Cramer will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, in the Church of Christ, 120 E. 5th St. Rochester with Rev. Jim Dillinger officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester and one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment will be in the Paw Paw Cemetery in Miami County.
Memorials may be made to the Church of Christ, 120 E. 5th St., Rochester, IN 46975 or to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46814.