Helen Sturgell, 94, of East Jordan, died Friday, September 29, 2017, at the Boulder Park Rehabilitation Center in Charlevoix.

  Helen was born July 4, 1923, in Boyne City, the daughter of Blanche Wildey Munson and Leslie Munson. She graduated from Boyne City High School in 1941. Except for a two year period from 1943 to 1945, when she worked in Flint, Helen spent her entire life in the East Jordan, Boyne City area. Helen married Bill Sturgell of East Jordan on April 4, 1946. Bill and Helen were married for 68 years until he died at the age of 90 in October of 2014.

  Helen worked at the Talboy’s Resturant in Boyne City during the early 1940’s and much later at Circuit Controls and Gidley’s Drug Store in East Jordan while her kids were growing up. However, the major focus of her life was raising four children and making a home for them and for Bill.

  Helen was a passionate reader. She was particularly fond of non-fiction books and of Catherine Cookson novels. Additionally, in her later years she discovered adult coloring books and passed many hours with her pictures. It was nearly impossible to get Helen “out of town.” She cared very little for travel, preferring to spend all of her time in Northern Michigan and in particular in her beloved community of East Jordan. She was also a fan of the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, the Michigan State Spartans and the University of Michigan Wolverines.

  For nearly 70 years, she was an active member of the East Jordan Methodist Church.

She was also a member of the East Jordan Chapter of the Eastern Star.

  Helen is survived by her four children, Jim (Irma) of Centennial, Co., Brian (Mimi) of Kiawah Island, S.C., Bruce and Mary of East Jordan. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Betty Munson of Petoskey and Shirley Shephard of East Jordan; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Bill, Helen was preceded in death by Bruce’s wife, Evelyn Sturgell.

  A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. at the East Jordan United Methodist Church in East Jordan.  Dr. James Mitchum will officiate. Interment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery in East Jordan.

  Memorial contributions may be sent, in Helen’s name, to the Jordan Valley District Library, 1 Library Lane, P.O. Box 877, East Jordan, Michigan 49727. The family was served by Penzien Funeral Homes Inc. in East Jordan.

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