Irene Edna Helmer

Irene Edna Helmer, 93, died Sunday, January 15, 2012, at Windcrest Alzheimers Care Center in Abilene, Texas. Born in Hodgen, Oklahoma on December 24, 1918, Irene was the daughter of Willie Mae (Castleberry) and Frank Hoskins. In 1966, she moved from El Paso to Abilene, where she worked as a counter clerk at both Dunkin' Donuts and Jack and Jill Donuts for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony W. Helmer, Sr.; son, Paul Eugene Cate; parents; brothers, Bernie, John, Roy and Earl Hoskins; and sisters, Helene Hoskins and Mattie Hoskins. Irene is survived by her son, Anthony W. "Tony" Helmer, Jr. of Abilene; daughters, Barbara Poole of Bessemer City, North Carolina, and Peggy Pitkanen of Spanaway, Washington; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 20, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with Chaplain Aaron Coleman officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Springfield Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Oregon. Memorial contributions may be made to Sears Methodist Hospice, 1 Village Drive, Suite 300, Abilene, Texas 79606.