Helen O. Needles

Helen Olga Needles, 71, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at Caretel Inns of Royalton in St. Joseph. Helen was born June 25, 1936 in Benton Harbor Michigan to August and Olga Meyer. She married Stanton D. Needles in 1955 and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage together. Helen retired from the Berrien County Courthouse as Register of Deeds in Probate Court after 25 years. She also briefly worked for Clark Equipment Company in Benton Harbor. Helen enjoyed many activities such as modeling clothes for Rimes Department store in her younger years. She also enjoyed time spent with her friends at “Gilligan’s Island” at the old Wesner’s Marina in St. Joseph. She also enjoyed time spent traveling to Texas and abroad with Stan in there motor home. Helen’s biggest treasures however were her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved time spent with all of them and held on close to them until the end. She will always be remembered for her love of flowers, her great cooking and generous heart. Mom spent the last year enjoying life even in the face of losing her husband and suffering Kidney failure, and spent many wonderful times with family and friends including her special friend Charlene Dickey. Helen is survived by her children Doug (Patty) Needles, Marcie (Kenton McAndrew) Needles, Donald (Kathy)Needles; grandchildren, Michael Fellner, Steven Needles, Rachael Fellner, Alex Needles, Kyle Needles, Ryan Needles, Zachary McAndrew and a brother Don Meyer and friend Marie; great grandchildren Shawn Nelson, Shane Nelson, Elizabeth Nelson and Eian Nelson. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Stan Needles of 52 years on May 8, 2007, parents August and Olga Meyer, sister Flossie Mae Meyer and great grandchildren Haylie Fellner and Peyton Fellner. Visitation will take place at Starks and Menchinger Funeral Home, St. Joseph on Sunday, April 6 from 3 to 6 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Starks and Menchinger on Monday, April 7 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Frank Traficanto officiating. Graveside services will follow at Ruggles Cemetery in Baroda. Memorials may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, www.pkdcure.org. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.