Catherine L Helwig

Catherine L. Helwig, 100, passed away peacefully Aug. 1, 2026, at Wellbrooke of Crawfordsville, where she resided for the past two and a half years. She was born May 23, 1926, in Tangier, Ind., to Clarence Leroy Hambright and Lottie May Riley Hambright. She graduated from Tangier High School in 1944. Answering a call to service during WWII, she served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps from 1944 to 1947, and graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1947.

Catherine dedicated 35 years of service to Methodist Hospital, serving as assistant head nurse on day shift, Assistant Director of Nursing on evening shift, and retiring as Administrative Assistant of Hospital Administration on evening shift. On April 14, 1951, she married Thomas E. Helwig, who preceded her in death Aug. 28, 2014. She was also preceded by her brother, Walter Varian Hambright, and sisters, Mildred Blanch Jones Bayston and Mary Marguerite Holland Kampe.

She loved animals, balcony flowers, and playing the piano and organ. After losing her sight, she gracefully continued her love of stories through Audible books, and cherished daily time with her Wellbrooke neighbor, Marge.

Survivors include daughters Suzie Hackleman (John) and Cindy Hasemeier; four grandchildren, Lora Ehrenberg (Chris), Neil Hackleman (Kami), John Reed Hackleman (Carey), and Ryan Hasemeier; and six great-grandchildren, Kaylie, Logan, Nolan, Garrett, Kassidy, and Griffin.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Flanner Buchanan in Zionsville, Ind. To honor Catherine’s wishes, a small ceremony for the immediate family will be held. Interment will be Aug. 8, 2026, at Lincoln Memory Gardens.