TERRE HAUTE — Helen H. Humbarger, 98, of Terre Haute, died peacefully at her residence on Jan. 16, 2011. Helen was born on a farm near Blissfield, Mich., on Feb. 11, 1912. She was the youngest of 11 children born to the late Daniel and Mary (Engel) Harrington. Mrs. Humbarger was a devoted wife and mother, actively supporting each of her two husbands and children in their various endeavors.

After she graduated from Adrian College in Adrian, Mich., in 1932, Helen earned a master's degree from the University of Michigan before marrying John W. Black, one of her teachers at Adrian, in 1936. She taught English, speech and drama at Adrian High School and at Kenyon College during the years of World War II and again in the early 1960s.

From 1936 to 1949, she and her husband made their home in Gambier, Ohio. They then made their home in the Columbus, Ohio area. Helen was always socially active, a member of the Tri-Delta Sorority in Adrian, involved in various PTA organizations when her children were young, and a member of several women's organizations at Ohio State University. Mrs. Humbarger loved mentoring her husband's international graduate students and their families.

Following their retirement from Ohio State University, Helen and John Black established hardwood forests in Fountain County, Ind. They worked with the University of Illinois in designing an energy-efficient home bordering the forests. Helen took great joy in observing and encouraging wildlife and in maintaining the forest, with the able assistance of her farm manager, Vic Leas, up until the time of her death.

After John Black died in 1987, Helen married another friend from Adrian, Lloyd Humbarger, in 1990. They happily made their home in Battle Creek, Mich., also traveling extensively, until Lloyd's death in 1993. Helen moved to an assisted-living environment in Terre Haute, in 2000.

She is survived by her children, Caroline B. Utley of Fort Mill, S.C., Constance Mary Nagle and husband Dennis of Ann Arbor, Mich., Charlotte Black of Terre Haute and Richard Black and Donna Arganbright of Lafayette, Calif.; and her stepchildren, Judith Norman of Portage, Ind. and Robert Humbarger and wife Cheryl of Battle Creek. She is fondly remembered by 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her family wishes to acknowledge the kindness and consideration shown to Helen and her family by the staff of Sycamore Manor.

Helen was preceded in death by her husbands; and her siblings, Harold Harrington, Fern Bruce, Lillian Porter, Margaret Harrington, Katharine Harrington, Clarence Harrington, Norman Harrington, Elmer Harrington, Doris Windeknecht, and Fred Harrington.

A service of remembrance will take place at 2 p.m. April 9, 2011, at Osborne Prairie Church, County Road 300 North, Veedersburg, IN 47987. Burial will be at Osborne Prairie Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name may be made to: Lloyd and Helen Humbarger Scholarship, Adrian College, 110 South Madison Adrian, MI 49221; Doctors Without Borders, 333 Seventh Avenue 2nd Floor, NY, NY 10001; or Light House Mission, 1450 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Arrangements are under the direction of Simple Cremations and Burials of Clinton.

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Tri-Village area obituaries

Helen Black Humbarger

Helen H. (Black) Humbarger, 98, of Terre Haute IN, died peacefully at her residence Jan. 16, 2011.

Helen was born on a farm near Blissfield, MI, on Feb. 11, 1912. She was the youngest of 11 children born to the late Daniel and Mary (Engel) Harrington.

After she graduated from Adrian College, Adrian MI, in 1932, Helen earned a master's degree from The University of Michigan, before marrying John W. Black, one of her teachers at Adrian, in 1936. She taught English, speech and drama at Adrian High School and at Kenyon College during the years of WWII and again in the early 1960s.

From 1936-1949, she and her husband made their home in Gambier, Ohio. They then made their home in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Helen was always socially active, a member of the Tri-Delta Sorority at Adrian, involved in various PTA organizations when her children were young, and a member of several women's organizations at The Ohio State University.

Following their retirement from OSU, Helen and John Black established hardwood forests in Fountain County, IN. They worked with the University of Illinois in designing an energy efficient home bordering the forests.

John Black having died in 1987, Helen married another friend from Adrian, Lloyd Humbarger, in 1990. They happily made their home in Battle Creek, MI, also traveling extensively, until Lloyd's death in 1993. Helen moved to an assisted living environment in Terre Haute, IN, in 2000.

Helen was preceded in death by her husbands Lloyd Humbarger and John W. Black, and her siblings: Harold Harrington, Fern Bruce, Lillian Porter, Margaret Harrington, Katharine Harrington, Clarence Harrington, Norman Harrington, Elmer Harrington, Doris Windeknecht, and Fred Harrington.

She is survived by her children: Caroline B. Utley of Ft. Mill, SC; Constance Mary (Dennis) Nagle of Ann Arbor, MI; Charlotte Black of Terre Haute; Richard (Donna Arganbright) Black of Lafayette, CA; and her stepchildren: Judith Norman of Portage, Indiana and Robert (Cheryl) Humbarger of Battle Creek, MI. She is fondly remembered by 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will take place April 9, 2010 at Osborne Prairie Church (County Road 300 North, Veedersburg Indiana 47987) at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Osborne Prairie Cemetery following the service.

Her family wishes to acknowledge the kindness and consideration shown to Helen and her family by the staff of Sycamore Manor.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name may be made to: Lloyd and Helen Humbarger Scholarship, Adrian College; Doctors Without Borders; or Light House Mission-Terre Haute, IN.