BALENTINE, Helen Elizabeth (McGinnis) - b. December 28, 1920 - d. May 25, 2013

[patyrn]

Helen Elizabeth Balentine, 92, a longtime resident of rural Fall River, Kansas, died Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kansas.  She was born December 28, 1920 in rural Fall River, the daughter of Jess and Mary (Hosler) McGinnis.

Helen was a graduate of Fall River High School.  She was a school teacher for a few years, worked for ten years at St. Margaret's Mercy Hospital, but spent most of her life as a rancher.  Helen was the oldest living member of the Fall River United Methodist Church.

Her survivors include three children, Larry Thomas Balentine of Poulsbo, Washington, Carol Ann Lankard of Mulvane, Kansas, and Jacquelyn Sue Ong of Fall River, Kansas; one brother, Carl McGinnis of Rose Hill, Kansas; 9 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.  Her parents, Jess and Mary McGinnis and two brothers, Joe McGinnis and Harry McGinnis, preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the Fall River United Methodist Church in Fall River, Kansas with Pastor Susan Galvan officiating.  Burial will be in the Fredonia City Cemetery in Fredonia, Kansas.  The family will receive friends at Timmons Funeral Home on Friday, May 31, 2013 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Memorials have been established in Helen's name with the Fall River United Methodist Church and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and can be sent to or left with the funeral home.  Words of condolence and messages for the family may be left at www.timmonsfuneralhome.com.  Timmons Funeral Home, 510 N. 7th, Fredonia, Kansas 66736 is in charge of the arrangements.

(taken from the Timmons Funeral Home website)