Helen E. Rogers

Helen E. Rogers, 88, of Terre Haute passed away peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 in Southwood Healthcare.  She was born at home on November 28, 1932 in Vermilion, IL to Arthur C. Forster and Mary E. Bennett Forster.

Survivors include her children, Kenneth Rogers of Washington, D.C., Mary Beth Ripple (Ray) of Terre Haute, and Trish Beadle (Dave) of Farmersburg; grandchildren, Carrie Sears (Matt), Stacie Whitley (Brian), Angel Rice (James), Chrissy McKee (Rex), Tyler Beadle, and Ryan Beadle; great grandchildren, Paige Tevlin, Whitnie Weatherspoon (Tay), Mackenzie McKee, Tre Rice (Olivia), Austin Mosteller, Hallie Whitley, Jordyn Rice, Kaylie Whitley, Michaela McKee, Mollie McKee, and Jaylee Shelby; great great granddaughters, Isabella Cooper and Baby Charlotte due in November; best friend since second grade, Elizabeth Patten of Paris, IL; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles L. Rogers; her parents; son-in-law, Lloyd Sears; and a brother, James A. Forster.

Helen attended Paris High School and played French horn in the marching band and graduated in 1950. She fell in love with Charlie, a young airman, and they were married September 27, 1953 and were married nearly 50 years until his death in 2003. Helen was a dedicated 70 year member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and had over 60 years of perfect attendance, with her most recent chapter being Xi Alpha Mu. She was a longtime faithful member of Central Christian Church Disciples of Christ where she was a choir member for over 50 years as well as being involved with many other aspects of the church, and being known as Grandma Helen to all at church who loved her. Charlie always said that if the church doors were open she was there. Helen had three jobs in her life: telephone operator in Paris, IL, raising her family, and clerk at G. C. Murphy after her children were older where she started when the store first opened and ended when the store closed its doors. The greatest of these was raising her family and it brought her much joy to be Mom, Grandma, and GGma. Having moved several times during Charlie’s military career, they continued their globetrotting in retirement visiting countries around the world and even staying in Japan with the families of her granddaughter’s exchange students.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Southwood Healthcare for their kindness and compassion during her time there.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2021 in Central Christian Church, 4950 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN with Reverend Rebecca Zelensky officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, 2021 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25 ^th Street and one hour prior to services on Monday at the church.  Burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Central Christian Church or the American Cancer Society.