Helen L Fornes

Helen L. (Harnishfeger) Fornes, 89, of Dayton, Ohio and Mackinaw City, Mich., passed away Monday, Dec. 21, 2015 at Hospice of Dayton. Born in Lima, Ohio on Feb. 23, 1926, Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Dorothy Harnishfeger, and her brother, Alfred Harnishfeger. She is survived by her husband, L. Victor (Vic); sons Michael (Karen) of Mackinaw City, Mich.; Mark (Tammy) of Kettering, Ohio; Joseph, of Dayton; daughters Dottie Tankersley of Englewood, Colo., and Michelle Fornes of Miamisburg, Ohio.
Helen will be missed by her granddaughters Danielle (Patrick) Quinlan, Renee (Chris) Tamlyn, Aimee (Eric) Nelsen, Amberly Campbell, and Kristen, Taylor, Margo and Brooke Fornes. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Evan and Elena Tamlyn, Levi and Brooks Nelsen, her brothers John (Sondra), Robert and Lloyd (Marjorie) Harnishfeger and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen attended The Ohio State University and was a charter member of St. Henry Parish in Dayton. She was a librarian and coordinator of the Volunteer Teacher Aide Program at C.F. Holliday Elementary School in West Carrollton, Ohio for 20 years. Retiring in 1987, she volunteered at Kettering Memorial Hospital and then for 23 years at Hospice of Dayton and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She was a member of the Dayton La Sertoma Club and a counselor for the "Reach for Recovery" cancer survivors program. Helen was a foster parent for more than 20 years. She had a great affinity for the Straits of Mackinac region in Michigan and a heart that knew no limits for unconditional love to all.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015 at St. Henry Parish, 6696 Springboro Rd., Dayton, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45420.