Helen Faith Schiffner, age 89, of Ulysses, Kansas, was received into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses. She was born May 7, 1932, in Alva, Oklahoma, the daughter and fifth child of ten to Willie (Earl) and Helen Genevieve (Arndt) Eckels.
Helen graduated from Alva High School in Alva, Oklahoma. She married the love of her life, her only boyfriend, Paul Leon Schiffner, on November 2, 1952. They were married for 56 years. She was a switchboard operator, worked in health care, drove truck as a custom harvester, a professional seamstress, and faithfully served her children, grandchildren, church family and community. Helen was a member of Gospel Light Baptist Church in Ulysses.
Helen was a spirited lady with lots of advice and wisdom from a long life of experience. She loved to share her amazing apple pies or just a cup of very watered down coffee with her friends. She took pride in the pristine condition of her vehicle, and spent countless hours behind her Husqvarne sewing machine. Helen was always teaching the next generations life skills that she so desired for them to carry on. She took on the task in her sunset years, of learning the piano and violin: she truly never stopped wanting to acquire new skills. She cherished her furry friends, especially her poodle, “Pebbles”. If you stopped by, you might find her reading her Bible and talking to her Lord, Jesus. She spent much time in God’s Word receiving the “Blessed Assurance” of His promises.
Helen is survived by her sons, Danny Paul Schiffner (Margaret) of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Lyndel Gene Schiffner (Gwenna) of Wichita, Kansas; daughter, Karen Diane Young and fiancé Guy Howell of Milford, Kansas; brother, Leroy Eckels of Los Angeles, California; sisters, Viola Roso of Ft. Worth, Texas, Sylva Burris of Bowie, Texas, Louella Elmendorf (Patrick) of Hilltop Lakes, Texas, and Revenna Grimes (Charles) of Ulysses, Kansas; sister-in-law, Cathy Eckels of Ft. Worth, Texas; eight grandchildren, Jared Schiffner, of Grand Lake, Colorado, Zane (Kelly) Schiffner of Fruita, Colorado, Garrett Schiffner, of Lansing, Michigan, Bridget (Doug) Kirk of Andale, Kansas, Samuel (Nikia) Schiffner, of Moses Lake, Washington, Misti (John) Young of Wichita, Kansas, Charlene Sawyer of Hays, Kansas, and Earl Goodman of Wichita, Kansas; 16 great-grandchildren, and a host of friends.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Helen Eckels; husband Paul; brothers, Stanley, Johnny and Earl Eckels; sister, Stella Melton; and great-grandson, Matthew Goodman.
Funeral service will be Friday, December 31, 2021, at 10:00 AM at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Ulysses with Pastor Jose Linares and Troy Grimes officiating. Graveside service will be Friday, December 31, 2021 at 4:00 PM at Short Spring Cemetery near Alva in Alfalfa County, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions may be given to Gospel Light Baptist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
