Helen Eileen Neary

Helen Eileen Neary passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 9, 2016, the daughter of Charles and Loretta Neary who was born November 25, 1945 in the Holy Family Hospital in La Porte, Indiana.  She was their tenth child and attended St. Joseph School and La Porte High School.  She had worked at the Whirlpool headquarters as a secretary. 

Helen married William Wood in January of 1975 and had three children; William Wood, her oldest son died June 26, 2015.  Her son, James (Brenda) lives in La Porte and has three children; Gwendolyn, Dacoda (Cody), and Jayme.  Gwendolyn has two children; Layla and Cyric Evans.  Her daughter Nichole is married to Timothy Martin and lives in Fort Wayne with her son Zachari.  Their daughter Bailey died at birth last year.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Billy Wood, her sister, Lois Sawyer, her brothers, James, Timothy and Michael, and a granddaughter, Bailey Martin.  Helen has resided at Miller’s Health and Rehabilitation in La Porte Hospital since July of 2013 due to serious complications from COPD.

Helen was loved deeply by her family and leaves two brothers, Charles W. Neary of South Bend and Dennis P. Neary of Carmel.  She also leaves five sisters, Joan Rauschenbach of Pickens, SC, Mary Ann Cover of Beverly Shores, IN, Kay Schumann of Schererville, IN, Caroline Coughlan of South Bend, IN Geri Kiernan of Valparaiso, IN, and over seventy nieces and nephews. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will at 10 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in La Porte, Indiana with burial of ashes to follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow in the school hall. 

The family wishes to thank the staff of Miller’s Rehabilitation for their outstanding care of Helen.  Also a special thanks to Father Pat Neary, CSC for anointing and visiting Helen with his parents, Jake and Marybelle Neary.  Thanks also to the many friends and family members who visited or called her during her illness.

Arrangements by Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, ESSLING CHAPEL, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana 46350. 

To send condolences online, please visit Essling Funeral Home.com.

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