Helen Marguerite (Glendening) Sexton, 91, a longtime resident of Celina, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 10, 2017, in Wilmington, NC.

Helen was born August 20, 1926, to the late William Alva and Pearl (Atz) Glendening in Geneva, IN, grew up on the family's farm during the Great Depression, worked alongside her mother at GE in support of the World War II war effort, and was the valedictorian of the 1944 Hartford High School class.

She went on to graduate, again valedictorian, from The Deaconess School of Nursing in Cincinnati, then worked as a registered nurse at Caylor-Nickle Clinic in Bluffton, IN.

She married the late William Arthur Sexton (1917-2009) in 1949, and together they had and raised nine children.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her first daughter Jane (Robert) Schelich, and her younger sister Marion.

She is survived by Anne (Dr. Thomas) Namey, of Knoxville, TN; Frances (Rolf) Ozamiz of Winston-Salem, NC; Patricia (Dr. Joseph) Goodman, of Wilmington, NC; Cynthia (Ronald) Swaney, of Sidney, OH; William II (Kathleen) and John (Kristy), both of The Woodlands, TX; Dr. Charles (Robin) of Irvine, CA; and Dr. James (Laurain) Sexton, of Walnut Creek, CA; twenty-eight grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren.

Helen was a devout Christian and active member of the Grand Lake United Methodist Church (Saint Paul's United Methodist) for nearly 70 years where she taught Sunday school, served as a communion steward, and participated in various women's groups including the United Methodist Women organization.

She served as past president of Celina History Club and East Elementary PTA, volunteered in various other capacities, and worked regularly at the polls on Election Day.

She was an outstanding cook, gardener, and seamstress, and instilled great respect for Christian and family values, a strong work ethic, and the importance of education, art, and music. Helen will be deeply missed by her many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives, and friends.

Friends may call at Grand Lake United Methodist Church in Celina from 9 to 11 a.m., and funeral services will follow immediately on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, with Pastor Mick Whistler officiating. Burial will follow in the Swamp College Cemetery in Celina.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Lake United Methodist Church in Celina, The Hearing Health Foundation or the Salvation Army.

Condolences may be left at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.