OPHELIA "THIELE" MAY HELTON

Ophelia "Thiele" May Helton, 84, peacefully passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at her daughter's home in San Angelo where she had lived for the past 3 years surrounded by her family. Thiele grew up in San Angelo and graduated from Angelo State University in 1943. She met and married Walter E. Neumeyer while he was stationed in San Angelo in 1944. They moved to Windsor, Ontario Canada, where they had two daughters, then in 1951 moved to Grosse Pointe, Michigan. After Walters's death in 1974, she returned to San Angelo in 1979 to help take care of her mother where she met and was married to Jack Helton in San Angelo until his death in 2002. She loved children and volunteered, worked for and served as secretary for the board of the San Angelo Day Nursery for 17 years, here in San Angelo. She was awarded an Honorary Life Membership of the board in recognition of her service. She was a Girl Scout leader and also volunteered for Meals on Wheels. A woman of great faith, Thiele was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church since she was a child and after she returned to San Angelo for the past 30 years. She dearly loved Immanuel Baptist Church and was an active member of the choir and was an accomplished artist. She loved music, art, flowers, and Suzie, her black cocker spaniel. She has always been a supportive and loving daughter, sister, mother and grandmother. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the family present. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Fairmount Cemetery with Pastor James Mitchell officiating. Thiele is preceded in death by her parents Vida and Tex Johnson and brother, Elgin Johnson. Thiele is survived by her daughter Gloria Neumeyer and her children Amanda N. Johnson, Whitney N. Johnson, and Cody N. Hamra all living in San Angelo. Daughter Carol Rush and her children Lisa, Jason, and Leah all living in California. Sister, Madeline Bean of San Angelo and great grandchildren. Also survived by Jack's children, Paula McClure, Cay Edling, Todd Helton, and their families. Many nieces and nephews.