Services for Ima Jean will be Wednesday, March 18, at 10:00am at the Vici Church of the Nazarene with interment at Sunnyside Cemetery following service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Vici Nazarene Church Building Fund c/o Shaw Funeral Home

Visitation:
Tuesday 9:00am to 7:00pm

Ima Jean (Mercer) Helmick, 85 year old Vici resident, passed from this life on March 15, 2015 in Vici, OK. She was born the 9th child of Lura E and Joseph W Mercer on September 7, 1929 at Camp Creek. She spent her early life on a farm just South of the Camp Creek Church and attended grade school at Camp Creek. Her high school years were spent at Taloga Public School where she graduated with the class of 1947. After graduation, she worked at the Taloga hospital as a nurse's aide until it closed, and then she worked as a receptionist at the Mooreland Hospital for Dr. Triplett.

On December 13, 1952, she was married to Leo Helmick at the home of her parents. Leo and Ima Jean made their permanent home in the Vici area throughout their marriage. They were blessed with three children Debbie Gay, Lura Diane, and a later special addition via adoption, Donald Lynn. Their family would continue to grow to include a granddaughter, grandsons and great grandchildren.

Over the years, Ima Jean enjoyed selling Avon, sitting with patients at the Vici Nursing Home, and working at Ray's Grocery Store. She was a people person and loved to visit with friends, family and neighbors in the community. She inherited this kind of work when Leo became an auctioneer and the job of clerking/cashiering for his public auctions became hers. One job she did not really care for was helping Leo outdoors. He was not very good at giving directions until a problem had arrived. More than once she just walked back into the house never to return that day. She would say, " I'm not a mind reader!" She tried hard to convince him of this but probably never succeeded.

Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, gardening, and cooking, but her main hobby was caring and doing for others. She spent her life devoted to her family and friends. She become known for her "coconut cream pie and noodles" along with all the other good food she made. When anyone was sick or going through a hard time, she loved making chicken and noodles and personally delivering them. All the grandkids knew that when they went to Grandma's house, there would be all kinds of goodies- iced sugar cookies, noodles, chocolate chip cookies, candy, etc. They also knew where to find the hiding spots necessary to keep Grandpa away from the sugar.

Ima Jean was a member of the Vici Church of the Nazarene where she has served faithfully over the years. She served as Church secretary, Missionary president, board member, pianist, Caravan teacher, and Sunday school teacher. She also played the piano for the nursing home on Thursdays and had previously been active with the Sing-A-Long at the Senior citizens.

Ima Jean was happiest when her family was around. She had a love and a burden for people, especially her children and grandchildren that were never questioned. She also had a very strong bond with her brothers and sisters, especially her little brother, Ron. We knew that no matter what was happening in our lives, good or bad, circumstances caused by us or not, sickness, stress, or the worries of everyday life, she was always there and never stopped praying. She has been a source of strength for us all. We will never know the evils we've been spared or the protection we have received due to her reaching heaven with her prayers.

Heaven is a little sweeter today and we can only imagine the laughing and talking going on as she gets reacquainted with those who have preceded her in death: her husband, Leo whom she had missed desperately for almost 3 years, one son Donald Lynn, her parents JW and Lura Mercer, 4 brothers, Robert, Lyndon, Billie and Wendell, 4 sisters. Leatha, Winnie, Dorotha and Lola and numerous other family members.

She is survived by two daughters: Debbie Clinesmith and husband Mike of Perkins, and Diane White of Vici. Seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, with the arrival of # 10 in September. Grandsons include: Travis Clinesmith and sons Trayton and Treston of Perkins, Trevor Clinesmith and wife Jamie and children Brooklyn and Blake of Perkins, Trent Clinesmith and wife Rachel and children Trynlee and Creed of Stillwater, Craig White and wife Becca of Moore, Chris White of Milwaukee, WI, Cory White and wife Jade and son Koda, of Vici, one granddaughter, Tasha Brown and husband Russell and children Brook and Briley of Perkins, One brother Ron Mercer and wife Yvonne of Bethany, two sister-in-laws, Arlene Mercer of Kingfisher, and Wyoma Mercer of Denver, CO, numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, a host of friends and all the special nurses who assisted with her care during her 5 month stay at the Vici Nursing Home especially her two nieces, Jarita Gamble and Delva Nebhut, as well as the special ladies who helped take exceptional care during her illness while she was at home, Irene Brady, Dianne Brady, Arlene Hunter, Tracy Halderman, and Helen Sweet.

We were blessed to have been a part of her life.