Helen VanLeer

Helen Louise Van Leer, age 93, of Covington, Indiana passed away peacefully on Monday, November 19, 2024, at The Waters of Covington where she was a resident.

Helen was born March 5, 1931, in Tippecanoe County, IN to John and Ruth Hoagland. She graduated from Covington High School in 1949. She married LeRoy ‘Bud’ Bellis on April 2, 1949. They made their home south of Covington and raised four children there. Bud passed away in 1984. Helen later married Howard Van Leer. 

Helen worked for many years for General Electric and was active in the Order of the Eastern Star. She belonged to the Covington United Methodist Church and the Prairie Creek Baptist Church. She liked gardening and travel, taking long trips to visit family across the country.

Helen is preceded by her parents, her husband Bud, her second husband Howard, and her youngest daughter, Fay Goodwin. She is also preceded by her sisters Alvina VanPelt, Naomi Hines Hoagland and her brothers Richard, Nathaniel and Harry Hoagland.

She survives her children Linda (Jeff) Jainer of Fabius, NY, Richard (Rita) Bellis of Melbourne, FL and Lew Starkey of Lafayette, IN; brother George Hoagland and sister Kathrine Hines-Seyfert. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Per Helen’s wishes cremation rights will be accorded with Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Covington, Indiana, 420 3rd street. Please join her family in sharing memories, pictures and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com