Helen Turcotte Sims, 79, of Brookston, passed away at 1:03 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at St. Elizabeth East Hospital in Lafayette.

She was born August 19, 1938 in Lafayette to the late Eugene J. and Dorothy (Rardon) Turcotte and attended Brookston High School.

In 1955 she married Denvil Glen Whitaker in Brookston; they later divorced. She later married Hugh Sims on September 17, 1988 in LaPorte. Mr. Sims preceded her in death on April 13, 2006.

Helen was a member of the American Legion Post #492 Women’s Auxiliary, the 40/8 Voiture and the VFW Post #1154 Women’s Auxiliary.

   She was retired from the Indiana Veterans Home after 25 years of service. Previously she worked for Central Lab of West Lafayette and Purdue University in a residence hall kitchen.

Helen enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, watching the “Old” TV shows and was a wonderful cook. She really loved rolling around Brookston in her golf cart or wheelchair. Above all, Helen was a PROUD American.

Surviving is a daughter, Debra Whitaker (fiancé: Alan) of Lafayette; two sons, Denvil Whitaker of West Lafayette and Dwight Whitaker of Brookston; her stepchildren, Diane Sims Davis of Fishers, Sandy Sims Striggow (husband: Tom) of LaPorte, IN, Craig Sims of LaPorte, IN and Mike Sims of California; and her cousins, Sue Hale of Brookston, Gene Cox (wife: Ann) of Indianapolis and Harvey Weston (wife: Debbie) of Goshen; 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her best friends, Barb, Kathy and Dana.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Monday, September 25, 2017 at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston. Funeral service 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2017 also at the funeral home; Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds to officiate. Interment to follow in Brookston IOOF Cemetery.

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