Obituary

Mrs. Verdun L. (Hays) Thomas, daughter of Otis and Fern (McJilton) Hays, was born on Dec. 10, 1921, in Newton. After a short illness, Helen went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 6, 2009.

Helen graduated from Newton High School in 1939. She married Verdun L. Thomas on Sept. 30, 1940, and resided in Newton. She attended Beauty College of Wichita and was co-owner of the Charm Beauty Shoppe, Charm Too, Charm of Hesston, and a Merle Norman Studio.Helen was a member of First Baptist Church. Previously, she was a member of the former Bible Baptist Church of which she was a trustee for the Foundation.She enjoyed her retired life as a volunteer. Helen and Verdun served the Salvation Army for many years. Helen also enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing and family counseling.In 2006 she moved to Albuquerque, N.M., to live with her daughter Lisa. While living in New Mexico she was able to go on a cruise of which she had fond memories.
In October 2007, she moved to the St. Louis suburb of Fenton to live with her daughter Debby. She was very busy with three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She also attended Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Verdun, her brother Victor Hays, who was killed in action during World War II in the Pacific Theater, and her great-grandson Noah P. Wolf.She is survived by her brother-in-law James Thomas of Oregon and sister Melissa Warnken of Wichita and her children Martin (Beth) Thomas of Emporia, Deborah (Gerry) VanDerHeide, of Fenton, Mo., and their children Ian (Heidi) VanDerHeide of Trinidad, Colo. (Elise, McCaven, Hailey and Hannah). Also surviving are children Juliana (Erin) Wolf of Crestwood, Mo. (Luke); Pieter (Janet) VanDerHeide of Oakville,Mo. (Pieter W. and Penny); Victoria VanDerHeide and Kyle Wannstedt of St. Charles, Mo. (Liam); Lisa (Sweely) Thomas (John Denery) of Albuquerque, N.M., Ben Sweely of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Josh Sweely (Kim) of Newton (Tucker and Kyler); and Linda (David) Rowland of Newton, Jill (Josh) Clanton of Newton (Katie and Kolby); Cody Rowland of Newton.

A service celebrating her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Newton. A reception will be from noon until 2 p.m. in the church basement. All are invited.