Dorothea Eileen Heldreth, 74, of the Monumental Community in Fairmont WV, peacefully and gracefully went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 24, at her home with her family by her side.
Eileen was born April 24, 1942, in Thomas, WV to John Wesley and Hazel Hedrick Cousin. She graduated from Davis High School in 1960 and began working for the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Health and Retirement Funds (the Funds) in Washington, D.C. shortly thereafter. She retired in 1976 to return to WV and later became the Office Manager of the Monumental Public Service District where she served her community for 29 years. Eileen was a born again Christian and a member of the Fairmont Bible Methodist Church, under Pastor Wesley Grissom. She also enjoyed attending the Viola Church in Prickett’s Fort, under Pastor Scott Krepps. Her best moments in life were those spent making memories with her family and friends. She was a supportive wife, a beloved mother and sister, and a trusted friend.
Besides her parents, Eileen is preceded in death by a stepson, SSG Ernest Dwayne Heldreth; maternal grandparents, Thad and Abby Carr Hedrick; five brothers: John (Jack) W. (and wife Rebecca) Cousin, Rudy (and wife Paula) Cousin, Robert L. (and wife Mary) Cousin, Albert (Johnny) F. Cousin, and Thomas J. Cousin; five sisters: Vivian Cousin ( and husbands Jack and Don) Hill Bennett, Susan Cousin Scoff, Halene C. Cousin (and husband Elmer) Blosser, Virginia Orr (and husband John) Wilson, and Patty Cousin (and husband Harry Sr.)Wiley; also, brother-in-law, Rudy Kovach Sr; and nephew, John Wesley Thompson.
Eileen is survived by her husband, Ernest Dale Heldreth; daughter, Michelle S. Heldreth of the Monumental Community; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon M. and Kennedy Amadi of Whitehall, WV; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Christina K. and Rev. Toby Dukich; sisters: Freda C. Kovach of Davis, WV, Jacqueline C. Thompson of Barrackville, WV, Geraldine (and husband Barton) Burger of Fairfield, OH; sister-in-law, Marie Cousin of Beverly, WV; dearly loved grandchildren: Jediael Dwayne and Isabella Bernadette Amadi; three grandchildren by her stepdaughter and stepson: Stephanie and Christopher Dukich, Brittany Heldreth; three great grandchildren; and her longtime friends, Dolly Cochran and Lucille Fox.
Eileen chose cremation; in keeping with her wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service.
The family of Dorothea Eileen Heldreth wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the members of the Fairmont Bible Methodist Church, Fairmont Home Health nurses, as well as all those individuals who visited, phoned, and kept Eileen in their prayers.
Carpenter and Ford Funeral Home in Fairmont is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.carpenterandford.com.
