Helen L. Barnes

Helen Louise Henning Barnes, age 94, of Vermilion and Lorain passed away peacefully on July 3rd after a long and happy life. Mrs. Barnes was born on May 14, 1929, at the Henning Homestead which was built by her grandfather in Brownhelm Township in Vermilion. She graduated in 1947 from Brownhelm School with 14 students in her graduating class. As a young woman, Helen loved to sing at weddings and other events. She studied health and physical education at The Ohio State University and played on the OSU women’s basketball and field hockey teams. She graduated from OSU in 1951.

On June 7, 1952, Helen married Richard De Barnes of Vermilion. Mrs. Barnes worked at Ohio Edison and Bendix before starting her teaching career. She created the first elementary physical education program in the Lorain City Schools. Helen also was the first woman in Lorain County to teach physical education.

Mrs. Barnes lived with her family on West 12th Street in Lorain. She stayed home with her three children until her youngest started school. She then taught physical education at Lorain Community College and looked forward to summer family trips to Ocean City, Maryland. She enjoyed sewing and playing bridge. Starting in 1995, Helen lived with her husband Richard in the Henning Homestead where she was born, in Brownhelm Township in Vermilion.

Mrs. Barnes is survived by her husband Richard De Barnes of Vermilion, her son Richard De Barnes, Jr. of Vermilion, and daughters Rebecca (Michael) Karrer of Bay Village and Cindy (John) Kolbe of Framingham, Massachusetts. Helen was a wonderful cook and loved the big family gatherings on holidays and special events that included her 7 grandchildren, 5 great-granddaughters, and 3 great-grandsons.

As Mrs. Barnes requested, there will be a private family gathering in her memory. Donations may be made in Helen’s name to the Brownhelm Historical Society.