Helen Gillespie Alloway

Biography

Helen “Siddy” Gillespie Alloway, 97, passed away peacefully Dec. 4, 2013, in Hendersonville, Tennessee after a brief illness.

She was born Helen Louisa Stuber May 16, 1916, in Flint, Michigan. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Bellefontaine, Ohio. While growing up in Bellefontaine, the family lived for three years in the Orr Mansion, which is now home to the Logan County Historical Society. She later married Archie W. Gillespie, and had three children: Nancy A. Gillespie Eubanks, Jean Alice Gillespie Elick and James R. Gillespie.

She loved people and animals and led a very full life. She was an accomplished horsewoman and won and received many awards. She was also one of the few women in Ohio and the United States at the time to qualify for a license to race trotters and pacers. She even raised sheep for awhile. She was a member of the Logan County Horseman’s Association, as well as many state-wide horse associations. She was a 4-H leader and helped many youngsters learn about horses. She enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Bellefontaine Garden Club. She and her mother were instrumental in starting the Logan County Chapter of the Eastern Star King’s Daughters, where she came to be the oldest living member.

She married Emerson Alloway, and after his death, she reunited with her high school sweetheart, Robert Duringer. She moved to North Carolina and lived there for many years even after Robert died. She spent many winters in Florida with her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Jim. Three years ago, after breaking her hip, she moved to Hendersonville, Tenn., to be closer to her son, James Gillespie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen I. and Carl B. Stuber; her sister, Janet Gill; and her husbands, Glen Lazar, Archie Gillespie, Emerson Alloway and Robert Duringer.

She will be dearly missed by her children Nancy, Jean, and James, as well as a granddaughter, Echo L. Bartlett and a grandson, Noah J. Gillespie.

Calling hours will be held two hours prior to a funeral service at noon Saturday, December 21, 2013, at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine. Interment is at the Bellefontaine Cemetery.