Helen Panter

-- — Helen Roberta Panter, of Elk Rapids, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2010, at Munson Medical Center, at 93 years of age. Helen was born July 27, 1916, in Detroit, to the late Walter and Stella (VanZant) Davenport. She completed her nursing training and internship at Providence Hospital in Detroit. She married the late Bernard Martin Panter on Aug. 27, 1938, in Detroit. After a 25-year nursing career, Helen retired; she and Ben moved full time to their home on Elk Lake from Dearborn. Helen was active in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as a member of Daughters of the King, served by coordinating the hospitality on Sunday mornings and also on the Alter Guild. She enjoyed the Elk Rapids Garden Club, golfing, cooking, playing bridge and entertaining friends and family at their home on Elk Lake. For many years winters were spent in Florida and summers at Elk Lake until the last four years when Helen resided at Hope Village in Acme. The family especially wants to thank the staff at Hope Village for contributing so much to the years she enjoyed there as a resident. Surviving Helen are her children, Robert (Jo Ann) Panter, of Traverse City, Margaret Bushnell, of Elk Rapids and Richard (Glynda Christian) Panter, of Napa, Calif.; grandchildren, Jenifer (Tom) Panter Collins, Cynthia (Ted) Lardie, Kimberly (Brad) Welch, William (Marilee) Bushnell and Juliet Christian-Smith; great-grandchildren, Sam and Natalie Welch, William and Kate Bushnell and Maxwell Lardie; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Helen was preceded in death by her sister, Jeanne Sills; husband, Ben; and son-in-law, William Bushnell. Funeral services will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, with visitation held one hour prior. The Rev. Dr. Kathleen L. Kircher will officiate. The family will also hold a visitation Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Reynolds Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A private family burial service will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery in Elk Rapids following the church luncheon. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Memorial Fund of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Please sign Helen’s online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.