08/24/1994
Funeral services for Helen June (Harrington) Adair, 94, Knoxville, who died August 24, at the Griffin
Nursing Center in Knoxville, was August 29, 1994, at the Bybee and Davis Funeral
Home in Knoxville. Burial was at the Eureka Cemetery in Harvey.
The Reverend Bob Morris officiated at the service. Music was provided by James Kidder, the organist.
Pallbearers were Larry Smith, Don Rodgers, Nick DeJong, Paul Harrington, Howard
Gullion and Eugene Harrington.
Helen was born on June 11, 1900, near Durham, the daughter of James E. and Bessie Ann Morris Harrington. She graduated from Knoxville
High School in the class of 1918 and then attended Drake University. She taught
in the Marion County School System for 29 years, retiring in 1965.
On Feb. 11, 1922,she was united in marriage to Robert Oral Adair. Helen was very active in community
activities. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Marion
County Historical Society. She worked for many years for the retarded children,
Adair trying to improve their educational opportunities.
Helen served as an assistant
librarian for the Knoxville Library from 1965 to 1973. Her other activities included
genealogical research and making 70 scrapbooks containing Iowa and Marion County History.
She also made 70 blankets for gifts for relatives and friends, who considered her
an expert quilter.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, Samuel Turner of San Jose, Calif.; five grandchildren;
six great-grandchildren; and Paul and Mary Holdsworth, who she considered part of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Robert on April 1, 1959; one daughter, Helen Louise;
two brothers, James and Lee Harrington, and one sister, Charlene Barber.
Memorials maybe made to the Pella Christian Opportunity Center or the Knoxville Senior Citizens
Center.
Arrangements were made by Bybee and Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville.