Helen L. Baxley

Helen L. Baxley, 83, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away Sunday, November 23, 2014 at her home.Born on October 6, 1931 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Keith and Berniece (Wood) Leininger.

She grew up on her family farm outside of Columbia City and graduated from Coesse High School with the Class of 1949.On April 17, 1953, she married Harley L. Baxley.The two had met while working together at U.S. Rubber.

Helen had worked at Bordens Ice Cream in Fort Wayne and the Village Cleaning Service in Columbia City for 29 years. She enjoyed watching Pastor Joel Olsteen on TV along with The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, NASCAR and IU basketball. She was a fun loving individual who also made sure you never went hungry.

She is survived by her daughters, Beth (John) Manning, Susan (Robert) Hanson both of Columbia City and Joanna (Jack) Bentley of Warsaw; sister, Waneta Wood of Columbia City; brothers, Jack (Clara) Leininger of Columbia City and Clyde (Marge) Leininger of Punta Gorda, Florida; eight grandchildren, Angie Koher, Roland Hanson, Derek Cody, Colby Cody, Mercedes Whetstine, Samantha Bentley, Harley Bentley and Dane Manning; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister, Maxine Voight.

A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m., Friday, November 28, 2014 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City with a gathering an hour prior. Memorial gifts may be given in Mrs. Baxley's memory to the donors choice.