Obituary - Sharon (Johnston) Helems

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Sharon Gaye Helems, Ponca City resident, loving wife, devoted mother, and sweet grandmother went to be with her Lord and Savior at her home on Thursday, January 4, 2007 after a lengthy illness. She was 67.

Funeral services will be held at 2PM on Monday January 8, 2007 at the Brookfield Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Mark Busch officiating. Burial will follow at the Odd Fellows Cemetary. Arrangements are made under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

Sharon was born in her parent's home near Grainola, OK on December 28, 1939 to Frances M. (Owens) Johnston and Cloise J. Johnston. After a few years in Ark City, she moved with her family to Ponca City where she attended school and Graduated from PoHi in 1957. She was employed at Tanco crafting bows and wreaths then In 1959 she married her next door sweetheart, Garland Dean Helems. After the birth of their two children, Sharon spent her time as a loving homemaker for her family. In the mid 70's, Sharon was employed at Sooner Life Insurance Co. where she eventually became the assistant secretary/treasurer. After retirement from Sooner Life in 1990 she made a point to meet for lunch on a regular basis with her beloved former coworkers.

Sharon was a devoted member of Brookfield Wesleyan Church where she loved to sing, teach sunday school lessons, and care for children in the nursery. She also served as church treasurer for over 30 years. She was also able to more fully enjoy her hobbies of reading, crocheting, piano playing, and inviting friends and family to inumerable feasts and get togethers.

Sharon lived her life to the fullest and no matter her circumstances always gave words of love and encouragement. She left every person she met with the feeling they were the luckiest person in the world for having known her. She was the glitter in her children's and grandchildren's eyes. She had an unending smile and would make everyone welcome at her home. She was a blessing to all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by Garland, her loving husband of 47 years; one daughter, Lisa G. Pruitt, her husband Larry, of Kansas City MO and one son, Ronald D. Helems of Oklahoma City, OK. Her mother Frances of Ponca City; one brother, Jack D. Johnston, of Newkirk, OK and one sister, Leta J. Epperson, of Edmond, OK, and 6 grandchildren; Mrs. Holly Hess, Michael Naden, Larry Michael Pruitt, Anthony Helems, Kathleen Pruitt and Jonathan Helems.

She was preceded in death by her father, Cloise J. Johnston. Maternal grandparents, Travis and Euna Owens; paternal grandparents, Charles and Cecil Awilda Johnston.

Casket Bearers will be: Ross Edens, Leroy Ward, Steve Johnston, Danny Holmes, Dee Johnston, and Phil Johnston.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma or the Brookfield Wesleyan Church.