Helen Lavonne Adams

Helen Lavonne Adams 96, formerly of Peru, Indiana, passed away peacefully early Easter morning at 5:52 A.M., at Wellbrooke of Wabash, Wabash, Indiana.

Helen was born on September 23, 1928, in Peru, Indiana, the daughter of Arnold and Alma (Pope) Chapman. As a child, Helen and her brother Bob, always enjoyed spending a couple of weeks each summer with their uncle, aunt and cousins on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Indiana, enjoying swimming and diving. Helen swam until she was 94. Helen graduated from Peru High School in 1946. Through the years she remained in close contact with high school friends and always looked forward to helping with the class reunions.

On April 22, 1951 in Peru, Indiana, she married Paul F. Golden. Helen and Paul raised three daughters, Brenn, Ceris and Daniele (Gigi).

Helen worked for twenty five years as a legal secretary for Attorney Richard M. Rhodes of Peru.

Upon retirement, she often filled in at legal offices in Peru for vacationing secretaries. Helen enjoyed sewing and was a wonderful seamstress, often sewing for her daughters, extended family and herself. Over the years, Helen had attended the Peru Main Street United Methodist Church, Mexico Baptist Church and Chili Baptist Church.

On July 6, 1985, in Peru, Indiana, Helen married William A. Adams. He preceded her in death on March 2, 2019. They enjoyed spending winters in Panama City Beach, Florida for twenty six years. Dancing was her favorite pastime.

Survivors include her daughters, Brenn Whitley, Denver, Indiana; Ceris Golden, Roann, Indiana; and Daniele (Jerry) Mullinax, Denver, Indiana; grandchildren, Aaron Deardorff, Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Evin (Rob) Gregory, Fishers, Indiana; and great-grandchildren, Brayden Van Bokkelen and Quinn Gregory all of Fishers, Indiana. 

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, Leonard Fitzpatrick; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Audrey Chapman; husband, William Adams and half-sister, Roselyn Yeager.

Private graveside services were held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru, Indiana, Bradley A. McClain, of McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, officiated.  

Helen's family extends their appreciation and gratitude to everyone at Wellbrooke for their care of "Miss Helen," as she was affectionately called.

Please share condolences and remembrances of Helen through the McClain Funeral Home website at www.mcclainfh.com.