April 14, 1914 - Feb. 18, 2012

SOUTH BEND — Helen A. Laughlin, 97, of South Bend, passed away at 5:53 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.

She was born April 14, 1914, in South Bend to Clarence A. and Florence (Ulbrecht) Sholly. On May 21, 1937, in South Bend, she married John S. “George” Laughlin. They shared 67 years of marriage until his death on Nov. 5, 2004.

Mrs. Laughlin is survived by her daughter, Judy (Michael) DeBartolo of Elkhart; son John (Cindy) Laughlin of Rapid City, S.D.; two grandchildren, Lea DeBartolo of Elkhart and Andrew (Gina) DeBartolo of Granger; two great-grandchildren, Vincent Michael DeBartolo and Michael Edward DeBartolo; sister Eleanor Porte of Milwaukee; and brother the Rev. Duane Sholly of Goshen.

A sister, Jane Slater, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Laughlin was a lifelong area resident. She graduated from Riley High School in 1932. She worked for Wilson Brothers as a seamstress, spent time as a homemaker and worked in the cafeteria at Riley High School until 1982. Mrs. Laughlin was a former member of First Baptist Church and a member of Grace United Methodist Church. She enjoyed many summers at their lake cottage and enjoyed traveling, but not too far from home. She loved knitting, reading and was an accomplished seamstress, making everything from pajamas to prom dresses.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend. The Rev. Duane Sholly will officiate. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Helen A. Laughlin may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 6415 Castleway Drive, W. Ste. 114, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Online condolences may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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