Helen V. (Newton) Johnson

Helen V. Johnson, 96, of Granger, IN, passed away at 2:55 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN, following an illness.

She was born on September 8, 1930 to the late Paul and Rose (Bentkowski) Newton in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong area resident.

On December 28, 1949, she married Harry K. Johnson in Sodus, MI. Harry preceded her in death after 59 years of marriage.

Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her son, Chris D Johnson, one sister, Betty Ann Modlin and three brothers, George Newton, Pat A. Newton and Richard Newton.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Cindy K. (Andrew) Philipson of LaPorte, IN, four grandchildren, Sarah A. (Jeff) Szucs, Shawn A. (Taylor) Johnson, Lauren R. (Derek) Stickler, and Christopher A. Philipson; four great-grandchildren, Liam, Zoey, Elliott, and Miles, and her daughter-in-law, Dorrine Johnson of South Bend, IN.

Helen retired in 1998, after 20+ years of being an Automobile Transport Contractor for local Automobile Dealerships and the local Automobile Auction – she loved nice cars!

Helen didn’t know a stranger; she enjoyed meeting people everywhere - where she immediately shared photos and stories of all of her grandchildren and her dog! She enjoyed shopping and loved finding a bargain. She was a meticulous house keeper and rarely left home unless her hair, makeup & clothes were perfect. She was a strong woman, dedicated to her family and was a loving caregiver for her son, her mother and her husband. She also made the BEST apple crisps and apple pies. She will be missed by many!

Visitation will be from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN.

A Funeral Service will take place at 12:00 p.m. ET Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN, where friends and family may gather one hour prior to Helen’s funeral service.  Vito Rulli of Lakeside Baptist Church, Lakeville will be officiating her service. Burial will take place in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, IN.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Riley Children’s Hospital, 705 Riley Hospital Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46202 or https://rileykids.org/ways-to-give?.

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