Helen Elizabeth Wiles

Long time resident of Dayton, Ohio, Helen Elizabeth (Dugan) Wiles, 97, passed away peacefully at Trinity Community at Beavercreek on July 1, 2024. 

Helen was born on January 24, 1927 on a farm in Brown County, Ohio to Walter and Artie (Layton) Dugan. She was a 1945 graduate of Russellville High School. Helen worked in the hospitality service and grocery store after graduation in Russellville. 

During the war years Helen corresponded with a local boy, Chester Wiles, and when the war was over they dated and married in 1947 and then moved to Dayton for employment opportunities. Helen worked at the National Biscuit Company and Rinks Department Store where she was head of her department for several years. 

Helen is survived by daughter Susan Wiles and son Gary Wiles both of Dayton, Ohio and daughter Linda and son in law Bill Hassell of Pasadena, Maryland. She is also survived by nieces and nephews in both Wisconsin and Ohio.

Helen was an avid bowler at the Poelking Lanes where she served as secretary to several leagues. Helen was a competitive game and card player. Helen and Chester played canasta at the Kettering Senior Citizens Center for many years. She traveled several times on casino trips, visited Wisconsin and Maryland to see family and enjoyed going to Florida, South Dakota, Washington DC and Williamsburg VA. She enjoyed sewing, knitting and gardening. She and Chester raised and harvested fresh vegetables and canned and froze their bounty as a hobby. They enjoyed many retired years together.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 75 years Chester L. Wiles of Decatur, Ohio; her brothers Clarence Dugan of Black River Falls, Wisconsin and Harry Carl Dugan of Russellville, Ohio as well as her infant brother Blanchard Dugan. She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony next to her husband and other family members at Linwood Cemetery in Russellville, Ohio.

Please consider a donation in Helen's memory to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton.