Helen H. Chyma

Helen H. Chyma, the daughter of Clarence and Nell (Nicholson) Van Sant, was born Sept. 4, 1911, in Clinton, Iowa. On March 30, 1937 Helen was united in marriage with Edward S. Chyma in Tama, Iowa. She devoted her life to her husband and family. Helen was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister.

Helen died on Monday, April 9, 2012, at the Nelson Manor in Newton, Iowa. She was 100 years old. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Edgar Van Sant; her husband, Edward, on Jan. 31, 1992; two brothers, one sister and one-step brother; and three great-grandchildren.

Those left to honor Helen’s memory include her son, David (Donna) Chyma of Moline, Ill., and their family, grandson Timothy (Tara) Chyma, great-grandchildren Lauren, Morgan and Carley, grandson Michael Chyma, granddaughter Deborah (Neil) Hamilton and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Nicholas and Joshua; her daughter, Janet (Joel) Shields of Newton, and their family, Jeffrey (Sarah) Shields, great-grandchildren Joseph and Elizabeth and grandson Jared (Kelly Adamson) Shields.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Clinton Lawn Cemetery in Clinton, Iowa.