Helen Ruth McElwee

Helen Ruth McElwee, 89, of Greensburg and formerly of Veedersburg, IN; passed away 9:28 am Monday December 6, 2010 at St. Andrews Health Care in Batesville, IN. She was born January 23, 1921 in Rensselaer IN the daughter of Jerry A. and Esther (Peterson) Branson. She married Harold McElwee August 13, 1944 in Rensselaer. He preceded her in death on September 11, 2003. Surviving family include a son, BG USA (ret) Jerry W. McElwee (wife, Kathleen), Coto De Caza, CA; daughter, Alicia Bowman (husband Ed), Greensburg, IN; two brothers, Paul E. Branson (wife, Vonda), Winchester, IN; and Merl Branson (wife, Martha), Rensselaer, IN; four grandchildren, Eric Bowman (wife, Jamie); Michelle Biltz (husband, Nick); Jon Bowman; David Bowman, and three great grandchildren. Helen Ruth graduated from Rensselaer High School and from Purdue University in 1943. She taught Vocational Home Economics at Wallace, Veedersburg, and Fountain Central High School; retiring from Fountain Central in 1976. She and her husband Harold rented a farm near Veedersburg after they were married in 1944. Twleve years later they found and purchased their own farm in the same community and lived there until moving to Greensburg in 2000 to be near their daughter. Her favorite activities were spending time with family and friends, traveling, and teaching. She enjoyed knitting, cooking, sewing, and entertaining. Helen Ruth was a long time member of the Osborn Prairie Church near Veedersburg and a member of the Purdue University Alumni Association. Her past memberships include Troy Township Homemakers Club, American Home Economics Association, Retired Teachers Association, and she was a long time Fountain County 4-H leader in Van Buren Township. Funeral service will be 10:00 am (EST) Friday December 10, 2010 at Dickerson Funeral Home in Veedersburg, IN. with Dr. Jerran Jackson officiating, with burial to follow at 2:00 pm (EST) Friday December 10, 2010 at Memory Gardens Cemetery, in Rensselaer, IN. Visitation will be 4:00 – 8:00 pm (EST) Thursday December 9, 2010 at Dickerson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Fountain County 4-H Council, or the Clarksburg Christian Church Building Fund.