Helen McPherson

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Helen L. (Deckard-Niegsch-Smith) McPherson, 92, of Pittsburg, passed away at 6:02 a.m. Sunday, March 10, 2019 at Pittsburg Care and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburg.

She was born July 25, 1926 at Pittsburg, the daughter of Isam and Hattie (Massey) Deckard. She attended elementary school at St. Mary’s, then went to Roosevelt Junior High, and attended Pittsburg Senior High School.

She married Albert Niegsch and he preceded her in death. On November 7, 1954, she was married to Estel Smith at Miami, Oklahoma. He preceded her in death on May 25, 1975. On September 7, 1979, she was married to Paul Q. McPherson at Pittsburg. He preceded her on April 16, 2007.

At the age of 17, she began working at the Pittsburg Laundry then the Creamery. She held many jobs throughout her life, including Crown Drug Store, Harry’s Café, Safeway, Knox Orange Juice, Pittsburg Cab Office, Pan Club, Crestwood Country Club, Casey’s, Big Lots, Wal-Mart, McDonalds and Wendy’s. She also owned 507 Helen’s Bar and Smitty’s Bar.

Membership was held in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pittsburg Coin Club and the Frontenac American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include, three daughters, Kay Niegsch of Frontenac, Peggy Wilson and her husband, Nick of Parsons, KS, Sharon Stanley and her husband, Charles of Girard, KS; two sons, Rickey Smith and his wife, Caroline of Maryland and Mike Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; a step-daughter, Kathleen Logan of Washington D.C.; and several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, Arthur Bayne, husbands, two daughters, Pamala Smith and Judy Dewitt, and a son, Mickey Smith.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday (March 14) at the Brenner Mortuary with Fr. Jerome Spexarth as celebrant. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Scott, Kansas. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Brenner Mortuary, where the family will receive friends following until 8:00 p.m. Online condolences may be left at www.brennermortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, Kansas.