Helen Janice Tyrer

August 26, 1939 - November 25, 2014

Born in Depauw, Indiana to William Oren May and Bertha Janice (Stevens) May, Helen was a shining star in school and enjoyed playing the saxophone. After graduating from Shawnee High School in Louisville, Kentucky, she joined the Navy, graduating from recruit training in Bainbridge, Maryland. Before leaving for her first duty station, she met the love of her life, Anthony Tyrer. They married in 1958. After leaving the Navy, Helen began a career with the US Post Office. She was forced to leave federal service after she became ill and had surgery to remove a brain tumor in 1970. Faced with terminal illness, she prayed for children and asked to remain alive long enough to see them born. She beat the odds and gave birth to her first daughter in July 1972. Defying the odds again, Helen had a second daughter in September 1973. Becoming a mother brought Helen a joy that would change her life forever.

As her health failed, Helen found the strength internally to continue to care for and raise her children, even all on her own after divorce. She never faltered and never failed her daughters. She was the sole provider and role model for her daughters who loved her very much, attributing all of their successes in life to her mentoring. The best gift they received from her was faith and devotion to Jesus Christ. Helen peacefully passed away in Warren, MI on Tuesday morning.

Her daughters wrote: “Mom’s faithfulness and kind heart were an inspiration to everyone. She lived life with integrity and devotion to Christ and to her family.”

Helen is survived by Daughters Suzanne Marie (Tyrer) Van Oppens and Deborah Lynn (Tyrer Harcher) Putz, Sons in law Frank Van Oppens and Timothy Putz, and grandchildren Johnathan Harcher, Andrea Harcher, Zachary Putz, and Margaret Putz.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 29th from 3-9pm with a 6pm service at the Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Avenue, St. Clair Shores. Interment will follow at a later date at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan