Helen Edith (Truitt) Eilo

ASHLAND, Wis. — Helen Edith (Truitt) Eilo, of Ashland, died of complications of diabetes on June 11, 2013, in Duluth, Minn.

She was born on Sept. 12, 1928, in Wilmington, Del., the daughter of Herman and Mary Jane (Blanchfield) Truitt, and raised by her loving aunt and uncle Warren and Carrie (Truitt) Williams.

Helen graduated from schools in Wilmington and was employed at the E.I. Dupont de Nemours Company prior to her marriage, and subsequently was employed at nursing homes in Delaware, New Jersey and Wisconsin.

Helen married Clyde W. Eilo in Claymont, Del., on July 2, 1952. Together they lived in Delaware and New Jersey for 32 years, and retired to Lake Galilee in Mellen in 1984. Their 60th wedding anniversary was celebrated in 2012. She was primarily a full-time wife and mom, lovingly remembered for devoting herself fully to her family and to her grandchildren as they entered her life.

In their early years of marriage, Helen enjoyed ballroom dancing to the big bands in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and attending Broadway shows in New York City. She was fond of playing bridge and canasta, and traveling with her husband to distant lands.

Helen is survived by her spouse; sons, Carl Warren Oscar (Glenda) Eilo, of Johnson City, Tenn., Eric Brion (Meghan) Eilo, of Mellen, and Kurt Aaron (Corrine) Eilo, of Anchorage, Alaska; special grandchildren, Carla (Dave) Eilo Gross and Lauren Eilo and their mother, Adana Eilo, Ethan Eilo, Clark Penney, Curtis Penney, Kendall Eilo and Eric T. Eilo; and cousin, Ric (Carol) Wicks, of Northport, N.Y.

She was preceded in death by her parents and guardians; and several siblings.

She was a member of the United Presbyterian-Congregational Church in Ashland.

Out of respect for Helen’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 14, at 11 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Congregational Church of Ashland, with Dr. Darrel Robertson officiating, with luncheon to follow in the church dining room.

Relatives and friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. to the time of the service.

Private inurnment will be in Cayuga Union Cemetery in the town of Morse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Presbyterian-Congregational Church Memorial Fund, at 214 Vaughn Ave., Ashland WI 54806.

Helen’s obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to her family at MountainFuneralHomes.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Mountain Funeral Home of Mellen and Ashland.