Helen E. O'Rear

Helen E. Shepherd O’Rear Passed away April 10th at the spirited age of 95 at Community Hospital North, where she was cared for tenderly by all of her caregivers. This gentle, kind soul was born on The Fourth of July in 1911, on the Westside of Indianapolis, and remained a lifelong resident of the city.

Her family was the center of her life, and she was happiest when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wife and mother who returned to work and retired from American United Life Insurance Co. She belonged to and served in various offices of The Council of Women and The Travel Study Club. Her extended family includes the members of Emerson Ave. Baptist Church and Crestwood East Apartments and Covington.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond G. O'Rear; son, Gerald O'Rear; grandson, Kevin O'Rear; daughter-in-law, Sharon Aline O'Rear; and her parents, Othel and Snead Shepherd. Left to cherish her memory are sons, Jerry (Sheri), Don (Betty), and Steve (Jackie); daughter, Sharon (Dennis) Bardash; sisters, Mary Shepherd and Mildred "Mickey" Elkins; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Helen loved flowers, but would equally appreciate donations in her memory to Emerson Ave. Baptist Church. A celebration of her life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14th in Flanner & Buchanan Washington Park East Funeral Center 10722 E. Washington St. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 13th at the funeral center. Burial: Washington Park East Cemetery.