Helen M. Tumbleson, 88, a lifetime resident of Plymouth, living in Pilgrim Manor for the past 2? years, formerly in Garden Court West, has died following complications from surgery on Friday past. Her death occurred at 4:59 p.m. Monday, August 25, 2003, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
      
       She was born in West Township, the daughter of Charles E. and Anna Spindler Miller, on March 8, 1915. She graduated from Plymouth?s Lincoln High School with the class of 1933.
      
       On Christmas Day in 1935, in Argos, Helen and Harold O. Swihart, now deceased, were married. She later married Cecil Tumbleson, in Bourbon, Ind., on October 7, 1950. Cecil died on December 26, 1964.
      
       Always assisting others, Helen, lovingly called ?Nanny,? by the many children she cared for over the years, was a devoted mother of three and homemaker.
      
       She also provided domestic services and for nearly ten years, she lived above the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home and assisted with answering the telephone, both night and day.
      
       Helen enjoyed crafts, sewing, crocheting and working crossword puzzles in the newspaper.
      
       A gardener, she had a special fondness for owls and butterflies and shared with others an extensive collection of Barbie Doll clothes which she made by hand.
      
       In recent years Helen traveled to many locations often with her son Rex at her side, she especially enjoyed visiting Hawaii, Disney World on two occasions, Las Vegas, a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas on her 87th birthday and Niagara Fall this past spring. Most of her travel experiences were done while she was a resident in the nursing home and brought her much pleasure.
      
       She had attended Pretty Lake Trinity United Methodist Church.
      
       Helen is survived by her daughter Betty L. Alderfer-Schuman, and spouse Larry of Columbia City, Ind., and by two sons: Richard A. and Elizabeth Swihart, Rockford, Ill., and Rex L. Tumbleson, South Bend, Ind.
      
       Two granddaughters, Terri Musto, Lakeville, Minn., and Barbara Ballinger, Warsaw, Ind., and three great-grandchildren: Gina Musto, Trevor and Jeffrey Ballinger, survive as well.
       Helen was preceded in death by her parents, spouse and Gordon D. Miller, a brother.
      
       Visitation with the family to celebrate her life of service will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2003, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
      
       Funeral services for Helen will follow the visitation period at 1 p.m. and will be conducted by the Rev. Charles Krieg, pastor of the Salem United Methodist Church, Bremen, Ind.
      
       Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
      
       Memorial gifts in Helen?s memory may be made to the Marshall County Neighborhood Center or the Women?s Care Center, Plymouth.