Helen Martha Hanshaw

Helen Martha Hanshaw, age 87 of Hope Township, died Tuesday December 9, 2008 at Thornapple Manor in Hastings.\r

Helen was born February 23, 1921 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of George and Carrie Cramer. She graduated from Union High School.\r

In her younger years she lived with various families, she worked at a tank factory in Detroit during the war, also she was a Telephone operator for Bell Telephone.\r

Helen was married to William Hanshaw Sr. who preceded her in death. \r

Helen was a home maker for many years, she also worked at the Schafer School as an operator and then worked for the city of Southgate as an Assistant Treasury, she retired in 1986. \r

Helen has lived in Barry County for the past 20 years. She enjoyed reading, and working as a volunteer at the Pennock Gift Shop.\r

She was a member of Pennock Hospital Guild, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, and the Catholic Daughters.\r

Helen is survived by her 2 sons, Ron (Mary Jo) Hanshaw, Bill (Jean) Hanshaw, 1 daughter, Sue (Gary) Brohl Sr., 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.\r

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Sr.,parents and 2 brothers, Tom and June Cramer.\r

Memorials can be made to Hastings Public Library or Pennock Gift Shop.\r

Visitation will be held Friday from 9:30-10:30am at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. A funeral Mass will be held Friday December 12, 2008 at 11:00am at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hastings, Fr. Alfred J. Russell Celebrant. Burial will be at Sunfield Cemetery.\r

Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneralhome.net).