Mrs. Helen J. (Fildes) Walker, 75, Cisne, a well known retired teacher, died February 20, 2002 at the Skilled Care unit of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Walker was born in Elm River Township, Wayne County November 3, 1926, the daughter of James E. and Margaret Shelton Fildes. She graduated from the Mt. Erie High School three-year program and from the Olney High School. She received a B.S. degree to teach home economics from Southern Illinois University in 1949, a M. S. degree in home economics and an advanced certificate in education from the University of Illinois.

Helen started her teaching career in a one room school in Wayne County. She taught Home Economics at Armstrong, Thompsonville, Shawneetown, Ridgway, Crossville, and 20 years at Champaign Central High School, Champaign.

Helen and her husband, Robert D. Walker, have operated the Elm River Christmas Tree Farm on the Cisne to Mt. Erie blacktop for 15 years.

She served as president of the Wayne County Retired Teacher Unit for five years. She was an active member of the Elm River Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Mt. Erie Ruritan Club.

Survivors include her husband, Robert; daughter Johnsie M. Wargel; a son, David D. Walker; a grandson; sisters, Lenora Walker, Mary Ferrell, Ruth Wisner, and Stella Pryor.

Preceding her in death were her mother, father and two sisters.

Funeral services were held at the Elm River Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Mt. Erie with burial in Brown Cemetery.

Source: Find-A-Grave