Helen E. Bolinger Frayer, of Mount Gilead, died of a “full and happy 98 years of life” at her residence.
On February 20, 1913, Helen was born in Edison, Ohio, the daughter of the late Glenn and Bessie (Crider) Bolinger.
She graduated from Edison High School in the Class of 1931, and later studied at the Columbus Business School.
Following her graduation from college, Helen returned to Morrow County where she began working as the secretary for the President of the H.P.M. Corporation, Howard McMillen. It was there she met her husband to be, Russell LeRoy Frayer, whom she married on July 9, 1938. Together they enjoyed caring for their orchard at their home on Orchard Drive and they enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage. He preceded her in death on November 8, 2006.
As Helen’s career continued, she worked as the court reporter for Judge Rutherford, and then secretary to attorney Leon McCarty. In 1969, she was then employed by Morrow County Hospital to develop a medical records department so they could become accredited and was there until she retired in 1982.
Helen was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion. While her children were growing up, she and her family attended the Trinity United Methodist Church in Mount Gilead, where she loved to sing in the choir, occasionally soloing. Coming from a musical family, Helen learned to cherish music at an early age. She played the piano and organ, though she may best be known for her “beautiful alto voice.” She even sang on a radio station in Delaware.
With a passion for entertaining and decorating for the holidays or any occasion, Helen most loved Christmas when she and Russell produced elaborate decorations of Christmas lights, outside and inside their home. In the 1950s they won several Christmas decoration contests in Mount Gilead.
Always of good, caring nature, Helen will be remembered for her fun-loving personality and her love for a good joke. She had a fierce determination for wanting and demanding the best from herself and her family. She compiled Mother Frayer’s Home Brew, a privately published cookbook, which went through several editions. She distributed hundreds of copies to friends and others in Morrow County, around the U.S. and in Europe.
Helen will be missed by her three children: Becky A. Jordan of Raleigh, North Carolina, Joan A. Frayer of Las Vegas, Nevada, and David W. Frayer of Lawrence, Kansas; a granddaughter, Michelle Jordan Coppedge, her husband, Brian and two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Nolan Coppedge, all of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Including her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth Bolinger.
The Frayer family will greet friends on Saturday, June 25, 2011, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Snyder Funeral Home, 76 South Main Street, Mount Gilead. Services celebrating her life will follow immediately at 11:00 a.m. with Hospice Chaplain Dave Matos officiating. Burial will follow in Rivercliff Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Morrow County, 228 South Street, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338.
For those wishing to express private condolences to Helen’s family, you may do so online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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