Helen Haines Carlisle, Class of 1953

Helen Haines Carlisle ‘53 died Dec. 28, 2021. She was born March 13, 1929 in Sharon Twp., Richland Co., Ohio, the first daughter and fifth child of Harley and Martha (Crum) Haines’ eleven children. The family relocated to Marion where Harley found work and later opened his own businesses (Haines Auto Body Shop and Haines Manufacturing).

Helen began working outside of the home at the age of 14. In 1946, at the age of 17, she graduated from Harding High School and began full-time work as a secretary. Although she had been a bright and diligent student, college was not an option until quite unexpectedly a relative, Rev. R. W. “Woody” Faulkner of Marion, saw to it that she was enrolled in Otterbein College in Westerville in the fall of 1949. The following spring, she met her future husband, Joe, an Otterbein senior and native of the New Philadelphia area, who was preparing for a career in education. On June 9, 1951 they were united in marriage at what is now Westerville’s Church of the Master United Methodist. By then Joe had already been drafted, was stationed at Fort Knox, and would serve in Korea in 1952. Helen persistently completed her degree by taking courses at Miami University and Bowling Green State University before receiving her Bachelor of Arts diploma from Kent State University in 1955. An able helpmate to Joe, Helen supported him and raised the boys, Joe Jr., and Chris, while Joe built a long and prestigious career serving as a school administrator in numerous districts in Harrison, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties, most notably as the first superintendent of the Buckeye Career Center.

Helen taught elementary school for 31 years, principally in Dellroy, retiring with Joe in June of 1989. Her recollections of teaching her young charges to read filled her with deep satisfaction the remainder of her life. A lifelong reader, Helen served as a trustee and former president of the board of trustees of Bowerston Public Library and was honored for her service in 2008. Her interests were broad and included many serious topics but she loved a good murder mystery. For years Helens attended auctions and purchased what struck her fancy. After retiring she began playing golf and also purchased a pontoon boat for countless trips around the lake with her grandchildren. Helen doted on her dogs: Topper, Chessie, Puppy and Daisy. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, family and friends, often out of the country, but her most memorable trip was rafting down the Colorado River at the age of 72.

In 2013 Helen was certified as a descendent of Edward Fuller through her mother’s lineage by The General Society of Mayflower Descendants.

Helen was predeceased by her parents; brothers Walter, Mervin, James, Richard, William and Harley; and grandson John Carlisle ‘21. She is survived by her husband Joseph Carlisle, Sr. ‘50; her two sons, Joseph Carlisle, Jr., and Christopher ‘80 (Rebekah Medaugh ‘81); five grandchildren: Elizabeth Carlisle, Caroline (Tyler) Daniels, Amanda (USAF SSgt Matthew) Stiltner, Joseph Carlisle III (Molly, and Kaitlin Carlisle ‘18; and one great-grandson: Theodore Stiltner; four siblings: John Haines, Patricia Reichelderfer, Raymond (Carol) Haines and Susan (C. Rodney) Lucas; sister-in-law Mary Haines; former sister-in-law Joanne Haines, and many nieces and nephews.