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Helen Lucille HeffernanPassing: December 20, 2024

Service:

St. Mary's Catholic Church

Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, December 27th @ 11:00am

Visitation:

Chastain Funeral Home

Thursday, December 26th @ 4:00pm-7:00pm

Cemetery:

Calvary Cemetery

to be announced

MITCHELL – Helen Lucille Heffernan, 77, passed away Friday, December 20, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Jasper.

Born February 15, 1947, in Indianapolis, Helen was the daughter of J. Walter and Lucille (Robison) Lauer.  She married James “Jim” Heffernan on January 17, 1970 and he survives.

Helen was a 1965 graduate of Scecina Memorial High School and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  She had worked as a career administrative assistant, retiring from the Internal Revenue Service as an executive secretary.  Helen later worked as the secretary for St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  She was very active in her volunteer work, volunteering at the Bedford Regional Medical Center, for her church, and for the Ladies of Columbus.

Surviving are her husband, Jim Heffernan of Mitchell; children, Anne Marie (Brian) Simpson of Exeter, New Hampshire, and Daniel Robert (Lena Campbell) Heffernan of Exeter, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Garrett Simpson, Sam Simpson, and Campbell Heffernan; siblings, Tom (Sherry) Lauer of West Des Moines, Iowa, Elizabeth Bowman of New Palestine, Indiana, Therese Bowman of Indianapolis; several nieces and nephews; in-laws, Lin Lauer of Orlando, Florida, and Marcia Lauer of New Palestine, Indiana.

Her parents; siblings, Mary Ann Meacham, Joseph Lauer, Paul Lauer, and John Lauer; in-laws Ron Bowman, Bob Bowman, and Kate Pachmayr, preceded her in death.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 27, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Jegan Peter, Deacon Dave Reising, and Deacon Tom Scarlett officiating.  Cremation will follow.  Burial in Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis will take place at a later date. 

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center.  The Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial Gifts:   Becky’s Place

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8 Guest Comments

  1. Guest: Dan Hansman | Carmel, In
    Date: December 27, 2024
    Sorry for your loss, Jim. It sounds as though she was a wonderful, caring person.
  2. Guest: Susan Kraeszig | Indianapolis, IN
    Date: December 27, 2024
    I worked with Helen at Prudential Insurance during the years that Jim was in Vietnam. She had a lovely new car and would pick me up in the mornings. On Friday nights we would go shopping at the Glendale mall. When Jim came home, I danced at their wedding. In later years, we would see each other at funerals and it was as if no time had passed since we last saw each other. I am so sorry to hear this news. Helen was a special person.
  3. Guest: Jim & Debbie Moffett | Newmarket, NH
    Date: December 23, 2024
    So sorry for your loss. We will always remember Helen as kind and caring person. We were very blessed to have known her. May fond memories hold her always dear to your heart. God bless. Jim & Debbie
  4. Guest: Rosanne Taylor | Indianapolis
    Date: December 23, 2024
    What a kind person, loving friend, and faith filled woman. Helen’s death is hard for her classmates-lifelong friends, but I can’t imagine the hole her passing has left for Jim the children and grandchildren. RIP, Helen. May memories help fill that void for those who loved her.
  5. Guest: Joyce and Jim Malley | Durham, NH
    Date: December 23, 2024
    Knowing what a kind, considerate and lovely person Anne Simpson (UNH) is helps us understand what a wonderful person Helen must have been even though we never met her or spoke with her. "“Eternal rest grant unto Helen, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen” Keep you all in our prayers. Fondly, Joyce and Jim Malley
  6. Guest: Kristin Whitney | Kingston, NH
    Date: December 23, 2024
    My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Helen was such a beautiful soul. May the memories you have and love for her carry you through these most difficult days. Much love, Kristin
  7. Guest: Rick and Jen Bowman | Bonney Lake, WA
    Date: December 22, 2024
    Aunt Helen you will be missed. Uncle Jim, Anne and Dan, You, your families and everyone that Aunt Helen touched will be on our thoughts and prayers.
  8. Guest: Susie Prather | Lynn Haven, FL
    Date: December 21, 2024
    This was one beautiful lady both inside and out and she will be missed. I remember an incident at one of our family reunions in Texas. It was really hot and the girls decided to go into the master bedroom because it was cooler in there. two of the men were in there watching a football game. We ran them off. We had booze with us and all the girls started piling onto my king size bed. I think Helen found us and came into the bedroom too. when she sat down on the bed the bed collapsed. We were all drunk enough that we just laughed. We didn’t care. We were cool in the in the bedroom. Space.