Fanny F. Helton, 85, Columbia City, died at 5:01 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Renaissance Village, Fort Wayne.

She was born March17, 1930 in Prestonsburg, Ky., to Reuben and Lou Velia (Jenkins) Whitaker Sr.

Helton married Smith Helton on April 18, 1946. He survives

She was employed with Whitley Products, South Whitley, for 23 years and Essix Wire, Columbia City, for 10 years. She retired in 1992. Helton was a founding member of First Freewill Baptist Church of Kosciusko County. She enjoyed gardening and collecting antiques. She loved the time spent with her grandchildren.

Additional survivors include a son: Smith Ray (Teresa) Helton, Lake Villa, Ill.; daughter: Velia Francis (Kim) Shoemaker, Columbia City; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Paul Whitaker, Eljay, Ga.; and Charlies (Trish) Whitaker, Myrtle Beach, S.C; and two sisters: Margaret (Chuck) Anderson and Hazel Overcash both of Troutsman, N.C.

She was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters.

Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at McKee Mortuary, 1401 SR 114, North Manchester, and one hour prior to the 1 p.m. service Monday, Feb. 29, at McKee Mortuary. Pastor Terry Bradford will officiate and burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester.

Memorials may be made to Camp Nash, P.O. Box 43, Claypool, IN 46510.