Helen Delores (Trowbridge) Gillespie

Helen Delores (Trowbridge) Gillespie, age 83, of Garrett, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Helen was born in Kendallville, Indiana, on June 18, 1942, to the late Jack Delmar Trowbridge and Thelma Clara (Schmidt) Trowbridge. She graduated from Kendallville High School in 1960 and International Business College. She married Garth Owens Gillespie on November 17, 1961, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Oakland, California. Garth preceded her in death on February 11, 2015. 

Helen was a devoted wife, homemaker and loving mother to her three daughters. She loved cooking and baking with her kids and grandkids. She loved her dogs, playing Yahtzee and card games, and watching her grandchildren play sports. She was always on the hunt for the best bargain at a local garage sale. She loved antiquing and thrift store shopping. She loved going to church at New Life House of Worship in Garrett where she was a member. Helen was dearly loved and her memory will live on in our hearts forever. 

Survivors include:
Daughter, Kathy and Dan Rupp of Edon, Ohio.
Daughter, Juli Dickson of Valdosta, Georgia.
Daughter, Cherie Gillespie of Fort Wayne, Indiana. 
Seven grandchildren: Stephanie and Tyler Stark of Vicksburg, Michigan; Drake Mason of Chicago; Jenea` and Travis Gunter of Valdosta, Georgia; Jacob Dickson of Valdosta, Georgia; Andrew Myers of Fremont, Indiana; Aaron Myers of Auburn, Indiana; and Jalissa and Alex Rivera of Augusta, Georgia. 
Seven great grandchildren: Carter, Camryn, Collin, Roslyn, Elaina, Caden, and Cedric. 
Six step grandchildren: Tirzah Rupp of Bryan, Ohio; Miriam Rupp of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Faith Rupp of Edon, Ohio; Lily Rupp of Edgerton, Ohio; Charity Rupp of Edon, Ohio; and Isaiah Rupp of West Unity, Ohio. 
Three step great grandchildren: Owen, Percy, and Azrael. 

Sister, Jeanie Fredrickson of Kendallville.
Sister, Janet and Lyle Vian of Corunna.
Sister, Katie Conrad of Elkhart.
Brother, Steve and Pam Trowbridge of Kendallville.
Brother, Dan and Dena Trowbridge of Kendallville. 

Helen was preceded by her parents, Jack and Thelma Trowbridge; her husband, Garth Gillespie; grandson, Adam Myers; sisters, Patricia Engle, Donna Conrad, and Judy Pretschold; and brother, Lawrence Trowbridge. 

Visitation will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, from 3:00 - 7:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home with Pastor Kelly Banks officiating.
Burial will take place at Sweet Cemetery near Albion. 
Memorial donations may be made in Helen's honor to either Dekalb Pregnancy Center, Auburn, Indiana or National Breast Cancer Foundation.

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