Helen Cheatum, 90, of Novelty, passed away peacefully at the LaPlata Nursing Home, on Dec. 31, 2018, with her daughter Donna at her bedside.

Helen was born near Leonard, MO on April 16, 1928, to parents William Joseph and Rebecca (Peoples) Langhammer, the youngest daughter of 13 children.  Helen married Allan (Mack) Cheatum, on March 1, 1949,  and to this union, 3 children were born, Carl (Bill) Cheatum (deceased), and twin daughters Diana Cheatum & Donna (Cheatum) (Walker) Bradshaw, both of Kirksville.

Helen was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband, & Son, and Daughters-In-Law Beverly Cheatum & Shirley Cheatum, and Siblings Edwin (Red) Langhammer, Sister Mary Claudia, Mildred Strachan, Christine Callaway, Rose Paschal, Anthony Joseph Langhammer, Mark Langhammer, Frank Langhammer, Adella Kile, Theodore Langhammer, & Jerome Langhammer.

Helen is survived by her Sister:  Catherine Broyles of Florissant, MO, her two Daughters Diana & Donna and six Grandchildren:  Steve (Lucia) Walker of Columbia, Jeremy (Waunita) Cheatum  of Edina, Jeffery Cheatum of Novelty, Kristina (Patrick) Burke of Clarence, Julie (Don) Adair of Duncanville, TX, and  Justina (Dave) Folsom of Port Angeles, WA,  and fourteen Great-grandchildren:  Issac, Ian, & Isaiah Walker & Joy Esau;  Michael, Laken & Connor Mack Folsom;  Kamron, Daniel, Rowan, & Mack Burke;  and Jacob, Lucas, & Mason Cheatum, and numerous Nieces & Nephews.

As a farm wife of 57 years, Helen maintained a large garden annually, preserving fruits & vegetables thru canning & freezing as well as harvesting Hickory Nuts biannually from the Padgett/Cheatum grove of trees, and sharing the "goodies" with the family.  Helen's Hickory Nut Pies were always a favorite at family gatherings & local events.  Helen was a School Bus Driver for 18 years for the Knox Co. Schools, & later worked as a CNA Med Tech @ the Knox Co. Nursing Home.  Helen also served as a Democratic Committeewoman for several years in Salt River Township in Knox County.

As the Matriarch of the Cheatum Family and the Pleasant Ridge Farm, Helen guided the workings of the farm and took great pride in watching her Grandsons Jeremy & Jeffery take a leadership role of managing the Family Farm after the death of their father, Bill, in 2010.  Helen's great pride continued as she witnessed her Great-grandsons Jacob, Lucas and Mason as well, keeping the next generation of Cheatum Family Farm alive through their "taking the reins" alongside of Jeremy & Waunita, & Jeffery.

Helen always looked forward to family gatherings and annual Langhammer Family Reunions where she could spend time with her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, as well as Langhammer Siblings and Nieces & Nephews.  She especially looked forward to the Easter Egg Hunts at her house.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2019, in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO. with Pastor Paul A. Millikan of Novelty Christian Church, officiating the service.

Burial will be at the Novelty Cemetery.  Casket bearers will be Jeremy Cheatum, Steve Walker, Jacob Cheatum, Jeffery Cheatum, Pat Burke and Daniel Burke.  Honorary bearers will be Lucas Cheatum, Mason Cheatum, Rowan Burke and Mack Burke.  Musical selections will be Beyond The Sunset, Precious Memories and Amazing Grace.

Memorials are suggested to the Novelty Senior Citizens Center and or the Novelty Cemetery.  Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, MO 63537.