Feb.
26, 1922 - March 13, 2010MISHAWAKA - Helen Lucille Manser, 88, passed away Saturday, March 13th, in Southfield Village, South Bend, IN. Helen was born February 26, 1922, in her home which her father, Frank Leslie McVicker, called Broadview Farm because of the beautiful location and possibility of seeing miles around from the front porch of the homestead. The home was located on Scott Road, Darrtown, Ohio. Her mother was Mary Olive Reese. When Mrs. Manser was four years old her father was killed in a farm accident. Mrs. Manser's maternal grandmother invited them to reside with her on her farm. Sarah Ellen Reese played an important part in rearing her grandchild. When Mrs. Manser was 15 years of age her mother married Charles Nichol Hansel of 5140 Hamilton Richmond Road, Oxford, Ohio. Mrs. Manser graduated from William Holmes McGuffey High School and attended Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Her first profession was teaching the third grade in Middletown, Ohio. On December 10, 1949, Mrs. Manser married Merle L. Augspurger. At this time Mrs. Manser changed her profession and became a social worker for 30 years. Mr. Augspurger died April 7, 1960. Mrs. Manser married Gene R. Aldrich on June 23, 1963, in the First Methodist Church of Hamilton, Ohio. The Aldriches moved to Winding Brook in Mishawaka, IN. Mr. Aldrich died April 1, 1969. On October 3, 1970, in the First Methodist Church of South Bend, Mrs. Manser married Frederick L. Manser. The Mansers traveled to all the continents, going out of the country for 13 years. They collected many objects of interest. The Mansers attended the First Presbyterian Church of Mishawaka. They both had great interest in Barnard Hardware. They enjoyed the Elks 235 Bowling League. After Mr. Manser died, Mrs. Manser's life was never the same. The associations to which Mrs. Manser belonged were the Elks Auxiliary, she was on the board for 10 years, and she modeled in the area and gave her time as a hostess for 11 years at the Elks. She belonged to Keewanianne Club of Misha-Bend, The Hearing and Speech Society, and was once precinct committeeman of Penn Township. She had great interest in the Republican Party and worked at the polls. She belonged to the University Club of Notre Dame. As a social worker most of her working life, she was always concerned for all who touched her life. Mrs. Manser leaves a cousin, Mrs. G. Robert Tompkins; the families of her stepbrothers, George and Warren Hansel for whom she had much affection, nieces and nephews, Sally Hansel and Mary Wygant, both of Oxford, Ohio, Richard Hansel of Sevierville, TN, Sue Ferris of Liberty, IN, Raymond (Nancy) Hansel of Metomora, IN, Ron Hansel, Jim Hansel and Judy Starnes. She leaves three stepchildren. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 18, at 11:00 a.m. in Darrtown United Methodist Church, 4309 Walnut St., Oxford, Ohio, with Rev. Ed Beck officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior in the church. Mrs. Manser will be interred at Darrtown Cemetery, Darrtown, Ohio. Her maternal and paternal grandparents, her parents and stepfather are buried there. Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, IN, has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.