Marilyn Ruth Helton

Marilyn Ruth Clever Helton

June 7, 1931 - April 12, 2015

Marilyn Helton, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on April 12, 2015 following a brief illness. She is survived by her five children, Mary (Bentley) Hudson, Denise, Susan (Mike) Burdette, Gene, Jr., and Melissa (Rick) Larson, former daughter-in-law, Jody Boehm; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Wilson (Gene) Helton, parents Franklin Clever and Edna Clever Nitzsche, beloved stepfather Bill Nitzsche, sister Eileen Youtz and brother Joseph Clever.

Marilyn was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in a home built by her father, and lived in the Akron area all of her life. She married Gene in 1949 upon his return from military service in Korea, and though it was a decision made at a very young age, she considered it the best decision of her life. Her early adult years were consumed by raising five children and always being supportive of her husband's educational and career goals. With modest means, she created a lovely home and flower gardens which gave her family great pleasure. She brought warmth and humor into our lives, even during the toughest of times.

The second act of her life, which began after Gene's early death in 1984, was filled with new adventures. She traveled the world extensively with her sister-in-law, Carol Helton Gee and brother-in-law, John Gee. Through her involvement at the Munroe Falls Methodist Church, she developed deep and abiding friendships which brought profound fulfillment into her life. Her dearly loved neighbors in Maplewood Park were always there for her and she considered them part of her family.

Marilyn read voraciously, loved British television programs, and movies and music of every kind. She was kind and open-hearted and always welcomed our friends into her life. We will forever miss her caring love, musical laughter, wit and humor. She expressed how proud she was of her family often and kept a basket of old family photographs on her coffee table for us to rifle through and reminisce about whenever we were there. She always focused on the good memories and the fun times, as we will now.

Rev. Michael Swab will conduct a memorial service at Redmon Funeral Home on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., where friends may call from 4:00 P.M. until service time. In lieu of flowers, please take the time to tell someone you love how dear they are to you. This was Marilyn's wish.