Helen A. Morford

Helen A. Morford, 91, North Manchester, and formerly of Columbia City, passed away at 2 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. Born June 18, 1930, in Whitley County, she was the daughter of James Sr. and Mildred (Smith) Downing.

Helen attended Thorncreek Township Schools and was a wonderful homemaker for many years.  She also worked at Blue Bell, Columbia City, in addition to Chamberlain Products, Gene’s IGA, and being a telephone switchboard operator in South Whitley.  Helen enjoyed canning, cooking, sewing, crocheting, gardening, camping, traveling in her motorhome, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.

On Oct. 25, 1968, Helen married Gerald Morford in Columbia City.

Survivors include her daughters Lora (Jeff) Bridegam of Columbia City; and Kelly (Kevin) Bortner of Albion; step-children: Gene (Carol) Morford, Roger (Gail) Morford, and Donna Metzger, all of Columbia City; and Jane Glore of Ohio; granddaughter, Amy Frazier and great-grandson Trevor Archer, that she helped raise; several additional grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings Doris Buckles and Cleon (Joan) Downing, both of Columbia City and Mary Johnson of Bradenton, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Glenn Downing, Harold Downing, and James Downing, sister Carol Williams, son Kent Myers, and husband Gerald Morford.

Friends may call from 11 a.m-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with burial to follow in South Whitley Cemetery, South Whitley.

Memorial contributions in memory of Helen may be made to Autism Awareness.