Helen “Kitty” Maurine (Shultz) Steele, Bantz, Aker, 98, formerly of Newtown and most recently residing at Rosewalk Village of Lafayette, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, at Rosewalk Village of Lafayette.
Helen was born Sept. 13, 1925, at Lafayette. She was the daughter of the late Lester R. and Edna M. (Wildman) Shultz. She was raised on a farm in Newtown and graduated from Richland Township High School. She worked with Indiana Bell until later moving to the Tampa, Florida area where she worked for AT&T Southern Bell Company. Her career with Indiana Bell & Southern Bell spanned from 1946 until her retirement in 1982. In 2002, she moved from New Port Richey, Florida to Newtown to be closer to family until moving to Rosewalk Village of Lafayette.
Helen attended the Newtown Community Church. She was a member of the Sugar Creek Quilt Guild, Byron Cox American Legion Post Ladies Auxiliary of Crawfordsville, Telephone Pioneers of America and Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed quilting, reading novels, flower gardening, studying genealogy and cross-country road trips to visit family.
Helen leaves behind several nieces and nephews; three grandchildren, Laura (Steele) Fritsch, Michael Steele and Jaimee (Steele) Pine, all from the Chicago suburbs; and seven great-grandchildren, Alexander Steele, Riley Steele, Colin Steele, Jackson Steele, Anna Steele, Evelyn Pine and Casimir Pine.
She was preceded in death by son Max Steele; grandson Max Michael Weirick; brother Eugene Shultz; and sister Lorena Kerns.
Helen was married to Edgar Steele, Junior Bantz and Don Aker, who all preceded her in death.
Helen had many friends, and was fiercely loyal to her family. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, independence, generosity and adventurous spirit.
Friends may call at Maus Funeral Home, Attica, on Friday, Jan. 5 from 1 p.m. until the service time at 3 p.m., with Pastor Mike Parks officiating. As per Helen’s request, cremation services will follow and an inurnment will be held at a later date in the Newtown Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Condolences may be made online to www.mausfuneralhome.com.
