Helen I. Kilborn

Helen Kilborn, 70, of Rhodes, Mich., passed away on Nov. 25, 2021 at Gladwin Pines Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a long illness. All who loved Helen are comforted in knowing that she is now at peace and reunited with family and friends who predeceased her. She raised her children and several grandchildren and was a wonderful caregiver to many when they needed her most.
A woman of strong faith, Helen did not fear death. She knew she would be reunited with loved ones who had passed and whom she missed intensely and loved dearly. Sadly, her passing also meant that she would leave her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who were central to her life. Knowing that she the love of her husband, that she had raised her family, and had left no words unspoken, allowed Helen to enter into eternal life without burden or regret.
She and Jon, her husband of more than 40 years, had a large and blended family: Denise Wrisley, Troy (Diane) Wrisley, Shelly (Jody) Solinski and Kimberly (Jeff) Kilborn all of whom survive as well as grandchildren Jon Goodwine, Nick Wrisley, Andre Goodwine (Haleigh Harrison), Audriana Maria Garcia, Brandon (Jessica) Solinski, Brittney (Aaron) Rose, Cody (Devin) Moore and Justin (Shannon Marie) Moore.
Proudly known as their GG, Helen is survived by great-grand children Jordan and D'Angelo Goodwine; Iliana and Izaiah Martinez, Everett Phillips; Brody, Brantley and Remi Rose; and Emily, Jack and Benjamin Solinski.
Mourning Helen's passing are brother Don (Susan) Wade and brothers- and sisters-in-law Carol Smith, Elaine Kilborn, Donna (Gary) VanPelt, Karl Van Kilborn, Joel Kilborn, Lance Kilborn (Sue Ralph), Linda Kilborn, Patricia Kilborn, and Cheryl Kilborn (Jim Tarchinski). Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Born in Flint, Michigan on April 19, 1951, Helen deeply grieved the loss of her father Art Wade Sr. and mother Jessie Newman Wade; sisters Elizabeth Kilborn, Bonnie House and Mary Ellen Swinehart; brothers Michael and Billy Wade; and father- and mother-in-law Karl and Dorothy Kilborn; brothers-in-law Richard and Kevin Kilborn; Ben Swinehart and Roger Smith.
As she battled the final stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Helen remained private about her condition. She felt blessed to receive compassionate care at Gladwin Pines and the family thanks everyone there for their kindness.
Helen loved to do laundry and joked that in her retirement her dream job was to run a laundromat. She was the family's go-to person who knew all the tricks to remove stains and keep whites bright. She taught many family members and friends how to do laundry the right way. For some, doing laundry will never be the same as it will spark her memory and bring lightness to their hearts.
Helen enjoyed word search and crossword puzzles and had a quick wit and loved to laugh. What she loved most, however, were the people closest to her - Jon, and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren - they evoked joy and a will in her to push on.
Helen was blessed indeed, as she will be missed eternally in this world and loved eternally in the afterlife.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gephart Funeral Home and cremation has taken place. The family will memorialize Helen's life privately at a later date. Contributions in honor of Helen can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2156 M-18, Gladwin, MI 48624, in tribute of her father who was a proud veteran of WWII and POW.