Ruth Esther Helton, 92 of Brazil, died February 16, 2006 at 1:15 pm at Royal Oaks Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Terre Haute, IN.

She was born in Brazil on March 6, 1913 the daughter of Goswin and Elizabeth Nickle Haverkamp.

On February 23, 1934, she married Charles V. Helton; he preceded her in death on March 8, 1971.

She enjoyed having a craft booth at Mansfield during the Covered Bridge Festival. She had both crafts and baked goods there for 29 years.

She is survived by a daughter, Patricia A. Marbry and husband Don of Tennessee; three sons, Gerald D. Helton and wife Jan of Texas, Leonard R. Helton and wife Pat of Washington, and Robert P. Helton and wife Marilyn of Brazil; 10 grandchildren David, Cheryl, Judy, Jim, Janine, Jason, Lenny, Robert, Marsha and Ryan; 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers, George, Johnny, Henry and Karl Haverkamp; three sisters, Louisa Krider, Mary Batt and Martha Miller.

Services will be Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home with Ernie Rush officiating. Burial will follow later in the week at Rose Land Cemetery in Berkley, Michigan. Visitation will be Sunday from 3-7pm at French Funeral Home. Light a candle in her memory at www.frenchfuneralhome.com