Helen Marie Schmelzer

Helen Marie Schmelzer, 94, formerly of Newton, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Helen, the daughter of Peter S. and Catherine Irene (Carey) Mannion, was born April 14, 1927, in Independence. She was a graduate of the Fayette High School, Class of 1945.

On June 7, 1948, Helen was united in marriage with Maurice Edmund Schmelzer in Oelwein. In 1950, she and Maurice moved to the Newton area. She was employed by the Newton Farm and Home Store. After retiring, she worked part-time for Rock Communications in Newton. Helen devoted her life to her family and enjoyed gardening, quilting and traveling. Maurice would precede her in death Feb. 13, 1982. Sixteen years after Maurice’s passing, she married Dick Haning in 1998. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton.

A Funeral Mass for Helen will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 31 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. The Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation will be an hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hospice or a charity of your choosing, and would be appreciated. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Maurice; her second husband, Dick; and her three brothers, Harold, Howard and Hubert Mannion. Those left to honor Helen’s memory include her son, Gregory Schmelzer of Houston, Texas; her daughter, Maureen (Jim) Geringer of Idaho Falls, Idaho; her three grandsons; a great-granddaughter; several stepchildren and step-grandchildren; and her many extended family and special friends.

Online condolences may be made to pencefh.com.