Helen Struble

Helen, "Doc" Struble, 81, died July 2, at Lee County Hospital in Fort Myers Florida. She was surrounded by family at the time of her passing. Helen was born on November 14, 1933 in Morristown NJ, one of twins, to Herman and Nora Mertins. Helen was a life long resident of Butler, NJ before moving to Cape Coral Florida 5 years ago. While raising five children, Helen earned her Bachelor's degree at William Paterson College in 1972. She also received a Masters of Education in Mathematics in 1975 and a Masters of Education degree in 1983. She proudly earned her Doctorate of Education in 1993 at Seton Hall University. She had a life long love of learning and was a teacher in the Butler School district for 27 years. Helen was also an accomplished writer, co-authoring and publishing "First Light" with her identical twin sister Mary. She then solo wrote and published "Don't Dance in a Small Boat", and "Don't Dance With Mary Grace." Helen was a sports enthusiast and loved to swim, bowl, play tennis, walk and golf. She played on bowling leagues and enjoyed weekly rounds of golf with her women's league and was a member of the "hole in one club." She was devoted to her family and enjoyed summers at Holden Beach, NC with her children and grandchildren. Helen was very active in her community. She was a former member of St. Anthony's Church and actively served in the "Friends of the Library" and the Fireman's Ladies Auxilary. Helen was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Nora Mertins, her brother Herman Mertins Jr. and daughter in-law Joyce Struble. Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years Roger Struble, sister Mary Tobin, her five children Michael Struble of Parkersburg WV, Kevin Struble of Lebanon Maine, Brian Struble of Princeton WV, Kate Waite of Butler, NJ and Sandra Beyloune of Sudbury, Ma., and their spouses, and eight grandchildren, Sean, Kayla, Zachary, Victoria, Kaitlin, Zachary, Jacob, Annmarie, and 4 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Morrison Funeral Home, Butler, on Friday July 24 from 6 to 9pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony Church, Butler, on Saturday July 25 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Helen's memory to the Tri-boro First Aid Squad Inc., PO Box 222 Butler, NJ 07405.