Helen Doris Schakel

Helen Doris Schakel, age 99, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Clarkston, Michigan. Left to cherish her memory are her six children: Mark (Margaret) Schakel, Jackie (Herb Bischoff) Schakel, Joan (Irl Towle) Schakel, Ann (Ric) Cole, Lynn (Jim) Heiman, and Keith Schakel; her eight grandchildren; her five great-grandchildren; and her two sisters: Leona Kerkhoff, and Norma Christon.

Helen was born December 8, 1922, in Rockford, Washington, the daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Walter and Melanie (Mertz) Vandre. Helen graduated from Lowell High School in Lowell, Indiana with the class of 1940 as the class valedictorian. After raising her family, she would go on to work as an administrative assistant for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Muncie, Indiana for ten years, from 1982 until 1992. The mayor of Muncie proclaimed May 29, 1992, as “Helen Schakel Day” to honor her for her outstanding leadership, hard work, and loyalty. Strong in her Lutheran faith, Helen was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In her free time, Helen loved playing word games, working on her sewing projects, and going on vacation with her family in Traverse City. She was an extraordinary mother, a great listener, a kind person, and a wonderful role model. She will be greatly missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Walter and Melanie (Mertz) Vandre; her two brothers: Robert Hugo Vandre, and Kenneth Paul Vandre; and her infant son, Collin Mark Schakel.

In accordance with Helen’s wishes, cremation will take place. A memorial gathering will be held at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the spring of 2022. Family and friends will be notified at that time.