Vera Louise (Lile) Helton, 89, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Monday (April 16, 2012) at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri.

The daughter of Ourra Cyrus and Winnie Belle (Neadermiller) Easley, she was born February 19, 1923 in Yarrow, Missouri. On June 12, 1945, Vera was united in marriage to Paul Western Lile and to this union five children were born. Paul preceded Vera in death on June 9, 1993. On February 14, 2002, she married James Helton who preceded her in death in April of 2010.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister in infancy.

Vera is survived by four daughters, Karen Denice Winkleman (Jim) of Pine Grove, PA, Debra Grgurich (Frank) of Kirksville, MO, Paula Darlene Stephenson (Ron Halley) of Moberly, MO and Doris Snyder of Kirksville, MO; one son, John Franklin Lile of Overland Park, KS; ten grandchildren, Ingrid Weber, Marvin (Cindy) Weber, Heather Weber all of Pine Grove, PA, Heather (Ron) Escobar of Colorado Springs, CO, Johnna (Mikey) Jaccarino of Warensburg, MO, Justin (Rosanna) Georgetti of Lee’s Summit, MO, Joseph (April) Georgetti of Enterprise, AL, Mike (Melissa) Grgurich of Kirksville, MO, Jake Grgurich of Novinger, MO, Troy (Linda) Grgurich of Kirksville, MO and Derek (Mendy) Snyder of Kirksville, MO, as well as sixteen great-grandchildren.

Vera was a graduate from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1940, received her Bachelor degree in 1976 and her Master’s degree in Art Education in 1982 from Northeast Missouri State Teacher College. During WWII, Vera taught several years at Mt. Zion School while attending college. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in 1982, she began teaching art in the Callao public school, teaching Kindergarten thru 8th grades, until her retirement. After retiring, Vera enjoyed substitute teaching in the Kirksville area schools.

In her early years, Vera was a Brownie Troop Leader, Census taker, past member of Sweet Adelines and the Peppy Pals Extension Club. Later in her life she was involved in Senior Circle, Hands of Friendship Club, Bridge and Pitch Club, Adair County Public Library Book Club, worked at the voting polls and made ceramics and art work for which she won a number of awards. She was also a member of the First Christian Church of Kirksville and attended Brashear Methodist Church where she enjoyed playing the piano.

Vera has been cremated and a memorial service in her memory will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday (April 21, 2012) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor John Dungan presiding.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Vera Helton may be made to the Brashear Methodist Church. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.