Mary Jane Helminen, 86, of Niles, passed away at her home Tuesday, May 17, 2011.

Mary was born Aug. 21, 1924 to the late Edward and Lottie (Banicki) Okonski in South Bend, Ind.  She was one of 13 children in the Okonski household.

On Aug. 16, 1947 Mary wed the love of her life, Clifford Helminen, at a ceremony in Niles. Together they had three children.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Sylvester, Edward, William, John and Steve Okonski; and sister, Alfrieda Clymer.

Mary is survived by her children, Sharon Buell of Bronson, Mich., Raymond (Barb) Helminen of Lampe, Mo. and Vernon (Georgina) Helminen of South Bend; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and siblings, Marge (LeRoy) Morrical of North Carolina, Dorothy Hart of Niles, Eleanore McGill of Niles, Lottie Swan of Adrian, Mich., Eugene (Joyce) Okonski of Mishawaka, Ind. and Paul (Pat) Okonski of Ft. Pierce, Fla.

Funeral services to honor Mary’s life will be held Saturday at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel at 10 a.m. with Louis Staub officiating.

Mary will be laid to rest in the Garden of Time.

Memorial donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Niles Senior Center at 1109 Bell Rd., Niles, MI 49120.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo or send condolences may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services and Mission Hills Memorial Chapel.