Helen M. Triplett, age 85, a long-time resident of Wheaton, died peacefully at the Don & Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center in Fitchburg, Wis., on Wed., Jan. 12, 2011.

The youngest of four sisters, Helen was born on Jan. 10, 1926, in West Jersey, Ill., the daughter of the Rev. Raymond and Ruby Reeves. She graduated from Loda Community High School in Loda, Ill., in 1944, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, Raymond Triplett. The couple moved to the Chicago area , settled in Wheaton and raised four children.

A 62-year member of Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, she is survived by daughters Linda (the late Robert) Lyman, Susan (Michael) Lambert, sons David and Timothy (Robin) Triplett, sister-in-law Eva Fox, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild, plus many other close friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Raymond, and sisters Catherine, Bonita and Myra.

Helen touched many lives as a mother, grandmother, teacher and homemaker. Her family knows that life will never be the same, but she has left us with a legacy of faith, kindness, compassion and the strength to carry us through all of life's joys and sorrows. Thank you, Mom, we will be fine.

Visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 13. A funeral service will be held Friday, at 10:00 a.m. at Gary United Methodist Church at Main and Seminary Streets in Wheaton, with the Revs. Tracy Malone and Don Leo officiating. Interment will be at Pine Ridge Cemetery in Loda.

Memorial donations may be made to the music ministry of Gary United Methodist Church.