Helen Christie Mathews LaBar

Helen Christie Mathews LaBar Union City Helen Christie Mathews LaBar, of Union City, Michigan, and Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility, went to be with her Lord on October 26, 2009. She had been active in Union City United Methodist Church, and also attended Coldwater Nazarene and Union City Wesleyan churches. She was known for memorizing scripture, including the entire book of Mark. She was also known for interbraided rugs, using a technique she developed herself. She led Bible studies in her home. She also led Bible studies and hymn singing in nursing homes in both Michigan and Wisconsin. She taught for five years in one-room schools near Union City. Helen was born May 4, 1910, in Fulton County, Indiana, the daughter of the late Arthur and Minnie Wagoner Mathews. She married the late William LaBar in 1937. She was sister of the late John, George, and Arthur Mathews, Jr. She is survived by sons Martin, retired Chair, Science Division, Southern Wesleyan University (Faye) of Liberty, South Carolina, their daughters Dr. Stacy (Richard) Volkert and Amber Brubaker; David, Lt. Col., USAF, ret., (Jolene) of Union City, their sons Daniel (Dorothy), Darin (Elise) and Daryl (Ashley); George, retired Head, Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho (Joan), of Dillon, Montana, their daughters Laureen (Scott) LaBar and Pauline (Kiff) LaBar-Shelton, and their son, George Jr. (Leslie); Arthur, Chair, Music and Art Department, Tennessee Technological University (Sherry), of Cookeville, Tennessee, their daughter, Anna (Timothy) Lueker, and son, Andrew (Jennifer); and nine great-grandchildren; Rory and Riley Volkert, Heidi, Holden (children of Daniel), Brendan, Alaina (children of Darin) and Claire (daughter of Daryl) LaBar, and Reagan and Kennedy Lueker. Helen and her husband lived on a farm in Edgewater, Sawyer County, Wisconsin, from 1937 until 1984. During part of this time, she taught English and math at Birchwood High School. In 1984, they moved to Union City. The visitation will be Friday, October 30, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Putnam Funeral Home in Union City. Services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the Union City United Methodist Church with Rev. Rob Hughes officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Union City. Memorial Contributions may be made to Mustard Seed, International, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or Pacific Garden Mission, which are charities to which she contributed regularly. You may leave an online tribute by visiting www.putnamfuneralhome.com Arrangements are by the Putnam Funeral Home 517/741-9333