Helen Fifer

On September 26, Helen Evelyn Fifer died peacefully at her home in Portland with her son by her side.  Helen was born on March 1, 1930, in Mishawaka, Indiana, the daughter of H. Russell and Grace (Brown) Stover. Helen grew up in Dunkirk and attended Dunkirk High School. On December 6, 1947 Helen married William (Bill) Fifer, and he died on November 16, 2009.

Helen began working in restaurants in Dunkirk at the age of 11, and worked for several different restaurants in her lifetime. She also worked at the Jay Garment Company for nearly 20 years, and the Commercial Review newspaper office for 13 years.

Helen was an avid reader, and loved sitting on her front porch swing reading in the summer. She also enjoyed walking 2 miles a day at the Jay Community Center. She was a longtime member of Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Gary Fifer of Portland; two grandsons, Michael Espy (Mikhail Armaugh) of Marion, and Steven Espy (Christina) of Rock, Michigan; Two great-grandsons, three great-granddaughters, and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Evelyn K. (Fifer) Espy, two brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be held Tuesday October 5, 2021 from 1-5 pm at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home. Services will be held Wednesday October 6, 2021 at 11 am at the funeral home.  Pastor Wayne Ward will officiate the service and burial will follow at Green Park Cemetery in Portland.

Memorials may be directed to Cornerstone Baptist Church, Jay County Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association.