Helen Denio

Mrs. Helen Louise (Schaner) De Nio, age 80, cherished and beloved by her family and friends, went to be with her Lord on September 12, 2007. She was born April 5, 1927 in Hart, MI to Jerome and Helen (Shinn) Schaner and as a youngster had moved with her family to Albuquerque, NM before returning to the Muskegon area. Adventurous and independent, she earned her pilot's license. In 1946, she married the love of her life, Richard Earl De Nio, Sr., and they celebrated 61 loving years together. In the fullness of time they had 5 children, 16 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. A loyal employee of W.T. Grant starting at age 16, she bicycled to work and was employed there until it closed. She went on to retire from Valley Ridge Bank. Helen volunteered for years for the Egelston Twp. Planning Commission and was a lifetime member of the VFW's Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband, Richard Earl De Nio, Sr.; children, Richard Earl (Julie) De Nio Jr., Pat (Ed Barry) Hammer, Lonnie (Laura) De Nio, Randy (Pauline) De Nio, and Kevin (Nancy) De Nio; her brother, Jerome E. (Arlene) Schaner; her sister, Jennie Steenhagen; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Kristine Lynn Hammer. SERVICES will be 1:00 PM Saturday at The Sytsema Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Ave. (231) 726-5210 with Pastor Shane Prewitt officiating. Burial will be in Egelston Twp. Cemetery. VISITATION with the family will be 6-8 PM this evening and one hour prior to the service. MEMORIALS to Harbor Hospice will be appreciated.