Helen H. Hobson

Helen (Harper) Hobson, 94, passed away December 21, 2023, in Owosso, Michigan. She was born in Knox County, Indiana on June 3, 1929, to Dorothy Mae and Orion Jacob Harper. She graduated from Freelandville High School as the valedictorian of her class.

On December 24, 1950, Helen married Donald Hobson who was on a brief leave from the Army. They celebrated their honeymoon in Santa Claus, Indiana before moving to Havre de Grace, Maryland where Don completed his service and Helen worked as a civilian.

After Don was hired as an automotive engineer by Studebaker, the couple moved to South Bend where both of their daughters were born. After Studebaker closed, the family settled in Leo, Indiana where Helen remained until 2022 when she moved to Michigan.

Helen’s faith was very important, and she was active in the churches where she was a member, most recently at Leo United Methodist Church. She was also an active community volunteer and was a long-term member of the Cedar Creek Women’s Club, where she enjoyed working on many Christmas Walks and providing an annual luncheon for the Foster Grandparents program. For several years, Helen was an instructional assistant at Leo Junior High School.

Helen was an accomplished bridge player and was involved in many bridge groups from the time she first learned the game in South Bend. She was also an avid reader and frequented the public library for many years. A lifelong animal lover, she loved feeding and watching birds and enjoyed the pets in her life and those of her children.

Helen was a devoted mother to her daughters Pamela (Dan) Leffers of Indianapolis and Jo Anne (Jeff) Watling of Durand, Michigan. There was a special place in her heart for her grandchildren, Benjamin (Kim) Leffers and Samuel (Zina Kumok) Leffers of Indianapolis and Elizabeth Mae Watling of St. Clair Shores, Michigan. She also celebrated the arrival of Evy and Max Leffers, her great grandchildren.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Don, and sister, Dorthy Lane. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews, in particular her sister’s daughter, Anita Nash.

A brief memorial service will be held at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 on January 6, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with calling one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Humane Fort Wayne or Leo United Methodist Church.