Helen L. Stamper

Ava, MO

Helen L. Stamper, 74 years passed away on May 19, 2015 at her home from a sudden illness with her family by her side.

Helen was born November 9, 1940 in Macomb, Mo to George and Etta Lee Collett Letsinger. She graduated from Ava High School.

Helen was a lifelong resident of the Ava community.
On Feb. 14, 1957 Helen and Troy Stamper were united in marriage in Ava, MO by Rev. Tom Johnson and to this union two children were born. She was a retired Certified Nurses Assistant from Mercy (St. John's) Hospital in Springfield, MO. She had also worked at the Mansfield Hospital and helped operate the ambulance there. She assisted the Douglas County ambulance in the 1970's. She also was currently co-owner with her husband & son of Stamper Trash Service of Ava.

Helen was a Christian. Her hobbies were reading and watching sports on tv and listening to local sports on KKOZ. She enjoyed her family and especially loved spoiling her grandchildren and being the "Boss." She was looking forward to her great grandson to be born this fall.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Norma, and one brother, Robert "Bobby".


Helen is survived by her husband, Troy Stamper, of the home, son, Kent Stamper, Ava, MO, daughter, Troyce Gerk & husband, Brian, Livingston, Louisiana, two grandchildren; granddaughter, Chantelle Emmerson and husband, Chad, Hartville, MO and Tristian Gerk, Livingston, LA, two brothers; Danny & Charlene Letsinger, Ava, MO and Dewey Letsinger, Springfield, MO and many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.


Funeral services for Helen will be Friday, May 22, 2015, 2:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial following in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 p.m. to service time in the funeral home. Officiating will be Rev. Tom Maples.

Memorials may be made to Heart of the Hills Food Harvest in Ava.