of Chelsea, Michigan, age 96, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 1, 2014. She was born January 17, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Harry T. & Helen (Wood) French.
Helen graduated from Dexter High School in 1935 as Valedictorian of her class. On September 9, 1935, she was married to Thomas H. Harris in New Haven, Indiana. Helen was a very devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and friend. She had been a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and served on the Fellowship Committee at First Congregational Church. She was a retired bookkeeper.
Helen is survived by her son, Thomas W. “Bill” (Cynthia) Harris of Chelsea and daughter, Mary Jane Schrader of New Bern, NC;10 grandchildren, Kevin Schrader, Kari (Robert) Cowan, Kris Schrader, Kandis Shark, Kara Schrader, Kenneth (Donna) Harris, Kim (Daniel) White, Molly Harris, Charles Harris, Gerald (Jamie) Harris; 21 great-grandchildren, Kirt McAden, Keith Schrader, Jason (Ashley) Germann, Jonathan Germann, Jordan Schrader, Kelsey (Eric) Rhodes, Kodey Shark, Megan Cowan, Abby Cowan, Hannah Stillwell, Austin Schrader, Nikole Harris, Joe Hatt, Amanda Harris, Kenneth Harris, Dakota Harris, Matthew Harris, Natalie May Harris, Morgan Harris, Isabella Bickley, Maddy-lynn Bickley; and 3 great-great-grandchildren, Savanah, Klara, and Hailee; and two siblings, Mae Poland and Richard (Vivian) French, both of Chelsea.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law, Larry Schrader, and siblings, Claire Chopp, Harriet Blaine, Harry French, Leonard French, Jean Grob, Janet Schulze, Joanne Henes.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 5, 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church of Chelsea, with Pastor Joe Jeffreys officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East Cemetery, Chelsea. The family will received friends at Cole Funeral Chapel Tuesday 2-4 & 6-8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church or to the family.