Helen M. (Briggum) Ashelman

Helen M. (Briggum) Ashelman, 86, of Kiles Road, Stillwater, died early Tuesday morning, July 21st, 2009 at Bonham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She had been in failing health for the past 4 ½ weeks. Born December 20, 1922 in Beach Haven, she was a daughter of the late Herman and Hazel (Harmon) Briggum. She was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle L. Ashelman on September 20, 1990. Mrs. Ashelman had been employed as a seamstress by the former Dockey’s Shirt Factory and later Dol-Ang Manufacturing in Benton. She had also worked as a dairy farmer until her illness. She was also a well-known pie-baker and provided pies for the Old Filling Station Restaurant in Benton as well as for church festivals, dinners and carnivals. She was a 1940 graduate of Wyalusing High School. Mrs. Ashelman was a very active member of St. James United Church of Christ near Bendertown. She served her church in numerous capacities including treasurer, guild member, Sunday School teacher, and Assistant Superintendent. She was the Assistant Treasurer at the time of her death and was a long-time volunteer for the church suppers and festivals. She especially enjoyed the card parties that were held at the church. She also served on the Benton Township Election Board for 50 years where she was either the Judge of Elections or the Clerk. In her younger years she had been a 4-H Leader for 20 years. She enjoyed being a homemaker and loved to cook, bake, can, freeze, knit, quilt, sew and do word searches. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. Surviving are her 3 children: Richard H. Ashelman, Stillwater; Dorothy L. Long and her husband, Dennis, of Bloomsburg; Glen D. Ashelman and his wife, Judith, of Stillwater; 6 grandchildren: Bernice Hans, Richard C. Ashelman, Timothy W. Ashelman, Leigh Hrinda, Christopher Long, Kayla Long; 6 great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; a sister, Martha Donnelly and her husband, Jack, of Florence, SC; a brother-in-law, D. Pierce Ashelman of Orangeville as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Briggum and a sister, Mary Kathryn Varner. Funeral Services will be held Saturday at 11 A. M. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (Rt. 487) with the Rev. Darryl Kensinger, her pastor, officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery. A Viewing will be held Friday evening from 6 to 8 PM and Saturday from 10:00 until the time of the service.

Helen M. (Briggum) Ashelman

December 20, 1922 - July 21, 2009