Helen Louise Oler

Helen Louise (Irwin) Oler age 97, of West Manchester, OH passed away on May 26, 2026, at Greenbriar Nursing Home in Eaton, OH. She was born on May 18,1929, in Castine OH to the late Cleston and Clara (Bradney) Irwin.

Helen attended Butler Township School in Darke County through the 8th grade and then transferred to Monroe Township School in Preble County for High School. At Monroe she met and then married her husband Leon “Bud” Oler on October 5, 1946. They were married for 74 years before his passing on November 12, 2020. From this union was one child, a daughter, Dixie Jean Oler-Glander who passed away on January 17, 2021. Throughout the years, she and her husband Bud built a strong, loving family, and a thriving family farming operation.

In addition to her parents, husband and daughter, Helen was preceded in death by her son in-law Eddie Glander, 3 brothers and their spouses James and Jeanette Irwin, Robert and Phyllis Irwin, Donald and Ethel Irwin, her sister and spouse Ettaleene and Lester Hunt, a special cousin who was like a sister, and her husband Nadean and Leon Miller; nephews Rick Hunt and Robert “Mick” Barker; and nieces Linda Cook, Sharon Bickert, Susan Traudt, and Joyce Ann Barker; as well as her mother in-law Bessie (Shaeffer) Oler whom she loved dearly, father in-law Luther Oler and very special aunt and uncle Clyde and Chana Irwin.

Helen was a very loyal and committed Republican. She had voted in every election since she was able to from the age of 21 until her health started to decline and she was no longer able at age 93. She was a long-time member of the Preble County Republican Party, Republican Women of Preble County and a Republican Central Committee Representative serving Monroe Township. Helen was a natural caregiver raising Dixie while Bud was on the road driving truck and caring for many neighbors, friends and family members including her parents, sister, and her husband Bud prior to his death. Helen was a member of the Eldorado United Methodist Church and participated in the Bible Study Fellowship Women’s Class at Central United Methodist Church in Richmond Indiana.

She is survived by her Grandchildren Kevin Glander of West Manchester, OH and Kimberly Posey and her husband Brian of Eaton, OH, and three great-grandsons she adored Craig Posey, Blake Posey and Kameron Glander; nieces and nephews Debbie Bain, Connie Hufnagle, Judy Fowble, Ted Miller, Richard Barker, Tim Barker, Jan Hackett and Linda Fry; several great nieces and nephews.

Helen’s family would like to thank the staff of Greenbriar Nursing Home and Day City Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given to her.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 1:00 pm until time of funeral service at 2:00 pm at the Gard Funeral Home, 226 West Main Street, Eaton, OH. Burial will follow at Castine Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to DayCity Hospice or North Central Rescue SquadOnline condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.