Helen Marie Steinmetz, 78, of The Villages, FL, entered eternal life on April 4, 2026. She passedaway peacefully at Cornerstone Hospice after a period of declining health, surrounded by herloving family and friends. Helen was the devoted wife of 57 years to her husband, Ronald (Ron)Steinmetz; a dedicated mother to her sons, Raymond and Keith; and a proud grandmother to sixgranddaughters. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, kindness, and the warmth sheshared with everyone she met.
Helen was often described as “one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” a reflection of her sincerityand compassion. She was deeply committed to her family and found joy in a wide range ofcreative and recreational pursuits. Her artistic talents included painting, pencil drawing, andjewelry making, and she continued to refine her skills through classes at The EnrichmentAcademy in The Villages. She also enjoyed crafting candles and knotted cord rosaries-earningher the affectionate nickname “The Rosary Lady.” Music and recreation were important parts ofher life as well; she loved playing the organ, as well as tennis, golf, and card games with familyand friends.
Born in Louisville, KY, on May 5, 1947, to William Bertrand and Alice Valeria Stayton, Helen grewup with three brothers and two sisters. She met Ron during a merger of their collegeclasses-she at Ursuline College and he at Bellarmine University-and they married on June 15,1968, at Holy Family Church in Louisville. During Ron’s Army service, they lived in San Antonio,TX; Manhattan, KS; and Fort Riley, KS, where Helen took courses at Kansas State University.They later settled in Sikeston, MO, where they spent 36 years raising their family and buildingtheir careers.
Helen earned both her bachelor’s degree in education and her master’s degree in guidance andcounseling from Southeast Missouri State University. She began her career teaching at theelementary level, including working with students receiving special education services, and laterserved as a guidance counselor at Sikeston Public Schools. She was honored as Teacher of theYear by the Sikeston Jaycees and was respected by colleagues, administrators, and the manystudents she supported. Helen retired from Sikeston Public Schools after 27 years andcontinued her commitment to education as a Coordinator of Students at Southeast MissouriState University’s Sikeston Regional Campus.
Faith was central to Helen’s life. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Church inSikeston, serving as a lector and as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She and Ronalso led the church’s marriage preparation program for engaged couples for many years.
After retiring to The Villages in 2007, Helen embraced the community’s vibrant lifestyle. She wasa member of the Kentucky Konnections social club and an active parishioner at St. Mark theEvangelist Church. Even as chronic lung and heart issues affected her later years, she continued to enjoy golf, card games, and her many artistic and craft projects.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James K. Stayton; and her sister,Therese Ann Dumm.
She is survived by her husband, Ron; her children and grandchildren: son Raymond (Susie) ofBowie, MD, and granddaughters Isabella and Liliana; and son Keith (Terry) of Niles, MI, andgranddaughters Katherine, Sarah, Mary, and Claire. She is also survived by her sister Mary Alice(John) Whyland; brothers Melvin (Margie) Stayton and Edward (Chae) Stayton; eight nieces andnephews; and many extended family members.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Cornerstone Hospice forthe exceptional care, kindness, and dignity they offered Helen during her final days.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at St. Mark theEvangelist Church, 7081 SE Hwy 42, Summerfield, FL 34491. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Helen’s legacy of kindness, creativity, and devotion to her family will continue to inspire all whoknew her.