Helen J. Whitesell

Helen J. (Steele) Whitesell

82, of Camden, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at home surrounded by her family. Helen was born August 26, 1942, to the late Everett E. and Hazel M. (Widau) Steele. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Donald L. Whitesell; son Ty (Kim) Whitesell, of Louisville, KY; and daughter Susan (Tim) Kieffer, of Marion, OH. She leaves cherished grandchildren: Megan, Elise, and Kate Whitesell; Ian (Addair Levine) and Gretchen Kieffer; Dakota and Hunter Hoffman. Also surviving are her siblings Evelyn (Herb) Summers, Neil (Marian) Steele, Dottie Douglass, David (Brenda) Steele, and Martha Steele Spellman, plus numerous nephews and nieces. Helen was preceded in death by her siblings Nick Steele, Frances Webb, and Elaine Vivian. 

Helen was especially devoted to her family, trekking across the state for sports games, recitals, and concerts, rarely missing an event. Her love was also shown in the handmade Halloween costumes she made every year for her grandchildren. 

Throughout her life, Helen had many jobs. She worked as a stay-at-home mom, cared for many elderly neighbors, volunteered for the day program at the Preble County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Meals-on-Wheels, and the Eleanor I. Jones Archives, worked as a shift supervisor at Baxter, and a member of the Camden Beautification Committee. A graduate of Shawnee High School (1960), Helen kept in touch with many of her classmates during frequent lunches. She was well known around Camden for her work in the flower pots and was usually seen with a watering can in her hand. Her years of beautification and loving care for the community was recognized and honored with the recent renaming of “Bicentennial Park” to “Whitesell Park”. This honor came after Helen and Don were named Grand Marshall of the Annual Black Walnut Parade in 2022.

Helen enjoyed puzzles, was an avid reader, and was a strong supporter of the Camden Library and Eleanor I. Jones Archives. She sometimes took a break from watering the flowers to play games of Bingo at The Dover; although she rarely won, she was there to support the various sponsors of the games. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 30, from 5-8 p.m. and a funeral service will be held Friday, January 31, at 11 a.m., both at the First Southern Baptist Church, 35 N. Liberty St. Camden, OH 45311, with Pastor Greg Jackson officiating. Helen will be laid to rest at Fairmount Cemetery near her parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial contributions be made to the Eleanor I. Jones Archives, 56 W. Central Ave. Camden, OH 45311, or Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263. 

Visitation and funeral arrangements are being handled by Bales Funeral Home.