Helen Fifer

Helen Evelyn Fifer died peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, at her home in Portland with her son by her side.

Helen was born on March 1, 1930, in Mishawaka, Indiana, the daughter of H. Russell and Grace (Brown) Stover. Helen grew up in Dunkirk and attended Dunkirk High School. On Dec. 6, 1947, Helen married William (Bill) Fifer, and he died on Nov. 16, 2009.

Helen began working in restaurants in Dunkirk at the age of 11 and worked for several different restaurants in her lifetime. She also worked at the Jay Garment Company for nearly 20 years, and The Commercial Review newspaper office for 13 years.

Helen was an avid reader and loved sitting on her front porch swing reading in the summer. She also enjoyed walking 2 miles a day at Jay Community Center. She was a longtime member of Cornerstone Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Gary Fifer of Portland; two grandsons, Michael Espy (Mikhail Armaugh) of Marion and Steven Espy (Christina) of Rock, Michigan; two great-grandsons; three great-granddaughters; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter, Evelyn K. (Fifer) Espy, two brothers and a sister.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home. Services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Wayne Ward will officiate the service and burial will follow at Green Park Cemetery in Portland.

Memorials may be directed to Cornerstone Baptist Church, Jay County Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association.

Condolences may be sent to williamsonspencer.com.