Helen A. Hooper Weitzel

Helen A. Hooper Weitzel, 92, Harvard, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at Mercy Harvard Care Center. She was born Sept. 10, 1919, in Alden to Frank A. and Amelia (Anderson) Bauman. She married John Hooper Jan. 6, 1945. He was killed in an industrial factory accident Nov. 21, 1962. She later married Francis (Frank) Weitzel Oct. 16, 1964.

Helen worked at Admiral Corp. in Harvard for many years until it closed. She taught ceramics in Harvard for 40 years. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, bird watching and spending time with her family. She was an avid Packers fan.

She was a member of the Harvard Women of the Moose, St. Joseph Catholic Church and Salvation Army Golden Diners.

Survivors include her children, Harold (Dawn) Hooper of Hebron and William (Carolee) Hooper of Harvard; seven grandchildren, Angela (Hooper) Brown, Renee (Jeff) Overlee, Shawn (Clemente) Pena both of Harvard, John (Kelly) Hooper of Alden, Emilie Hooper of Crystal Lake, Helen (Nat) Nelson and William (Jade) Hooper both of Harvard; 14 great-grandchildren with one on the way; three brothers, Royal (Irma) Bauman of Los Angeles, Ronald and Harry Bauman both of Florida and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first and second husbands; a daughter, Sharon Ann Hooper; two sisters, Frances Walsh and Marjory Alt; a great-grandson, Steven Hooper; three brothers, Jim, Lawrence, and Frank Bauman and three step-brothers, Dexter, Russell and Howard Barrows.

The visitation was Jan. 11 at  Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, Harvard. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Harvard Food Pantry, PO Box 578, Harvard, IL 60033.