Helen May Esterline Laws, 81, passed away on October 24, 2026 at her home with family by her side. She was born on March 20, 1945 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Lawrence and Helen (Thompson) Hallien. She was a 1963 graduate of North Side High School and received a B.A. degree in Education from Concordia Teachers College (Concordia University Chicago) in 1967. Helen married David Esterline on September 1, 1967 and went on to earn a M.S. in Education in 1973. After David Esterline’s death, she reconnected with David Laws at a high school reunion and they married on March 22, 1984. Helen taught grades K-4 at various times throughout her career. She retired in 2006 after 22 years in First Grade at Churubusco Elementary School.

A lifelong member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Helen served at various times as a teacher (day school and Sunday school), an usher and a Stephen’s Minister. She was a very loving and adventurous person. Helen adored caring for and teaching her great nephews, Colter and Emerick, before they started school. Through the years, she enjoyed many activities including learning to fly an airplane, driving a race car, competitive ballroom dancing and lots of travel, including an African safari and a trip to Japan in the last few years. Helen had a love of history and for many years gave World War II educational presentations. She also loved learning about other cultures and always said, “We all have the same needs, we just go about meeting them differently.”

Helen was proceeded in death by both her husbands and son, Scott Esterline. She is survived by children, Sean Esterline of Charlotte, Michigan; Sara Jane (Peter) Schillace of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Sara Meagan (Ryan) West of Wilmington, North Carolina and Joseph (Carrie) Laws of Garrett, Indiana; grandchildren, Morgan and Lauren Falconer; Lila, Emma and Sky Esterline, Auburn (Paul) Jones, Mackenzie (Paul) Sanders, Elliot and Julia West and Evalynn and Preston Laws; sister, Elizabeth (Roger) Wilson; brother, Jeremy Two Feathers; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and the Baudoin and Hymmen families in Europe.

Service is 11:00 AM on October 29th, 2026 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Cresent Avenue, with calling one hour prior. Additional calling is on October 28th, 2026 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at FairHaven Funeral Home, 6557 N. Clinton St. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are to Cancer Services, Holy Cross Lutheran for the Aulick Scholarship Fund or The Ninety-Nines (International Organization of Women Pilots) for the Amelia Earhart Scholarship Fund.