Helen Irene Hillenberg Chasteen, 97, of Terre Haute and Bedford IN, passed away peacefully at Union Hospital, Terre Haute, IN on Thursday, January 29, 2015. Helen was born April 9, 1917 in Guthrie, Lawrence County, IN to James W. Hillenberg and Cora Alice Goodman Hillenberg. She graduated from Needmore High School in 1936. She married Rev. John Harvey Chasteen October 8, 1938 and served with her husband in the United Methodist Ministry in the South Indiana Conference from 1954 until after retirement. Helen was an expert seamstress- she designed and tailored uniforms at Reliance in Bedford for the military during World War II, hand-made many quilts, and designed clothing and wedding dresses for her daughters. She worked in retail and especially enjoyed working with children in preschool. Helen was a master gardener; she enjoyed nature, traveling, doing extensive family genealogy research, spending quality time with her family, studying The Holy Bible, and her quiet time in prayer. Helen was a member of the Ashboro United Methodist Church which at one time her husband pastored. In recent years she attended Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church. Survivors include three daughters, Becca Parks (Marshall), Joyce Hoare (Gary) and Gail Culbertson of Terre Haute; grandchildren, John Owen James of Blacksburg VA, Jeana James Wellman (Glen) and Janeece James Stringer of Saline City, IN, Matthew Hoare (Shannon) of West Terre Haute, Catherine Culbertson Crawford (Brian) of Indianapolis and Daniel Culbertson (fiancé Jennifer Stevenson Hittle) of Terre Haute; great grandchildren, Michael James-Deramo, Vincent James-Deramo, Jamie Graham Ward (Jonathan), Jessica Graham Lowe (Jesse), Dallas Graham, Lacey Graham, Tanner Hoare, Sidney Hoare, Myles Stringer (Elizabeth), Casey Stringer, Jarett Stringer and Jordan Crawford; and great-great- grandchildren, Jayda Ward, Jaylyn Ward, baby Ward expected soon, Hayden Lowe, Elijah Lowe, Jaxxon Frazier, and baby Stringer expected soon. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Florence Chasteen Childers and Wilma Chasteen Charles of Bedford and Bonnie Chasteen Wolven of Indianapolis; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; siblings, Stanley Hillenberg, Thurman Hillenburg, Thelma Hillenberg Rogers, Freeland Hillenburg, Winfred Hillenburg and Ruth Hillenberg Stewart; granddaughter, Maria Joy Culbertson; and great-grandsons, Garrett and John Stringer. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church, 3201 McKeen St., Terre Haute with Pastors Andy Fishback, Bob Kumpf and Monte Vincent officiating. Burial will take place at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday in Judah Cemetery in Judah, Indiana. Visitation is scheduled for Monday from 4:00-7:00 P.M. in the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashboro United Methodist Church, P O Box 96, Center Point, IN 47840, Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church, 3201 McKeen St Terre Haute IN 47803, Rev & Mrs John & Helen Chasteen Endowed Scholarship, Office of Development, Asbury University, 1 Macklem Dr., Wilmore KY 40390-9988 or Gideons International, Box 271, Brazil IN 47834. Funeral information may also be found at www.callahanandhughes.com .
