EAST HERKIMER-Marion L. Richard age 70 of Downey Avenue entered into eternal rest on Sunday afternoon January 30, 2005 in Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. She was born on May 22, 1934 in the town of Fairfield, daughter of the late Norton C. and Marjory Christman Helmer. A lifelong area resident she was raised in Fairfield and was a graduate of West Canada Valley High School class of 1953. On April 21, 1956 she was united in marriage with Walter R. Richard in the Herkimer Reformed Church. They have resided in East Herkimer since 1957. She had first worked as a bookkeeper for the Herkimer GLF and later for the W. T. Grant Store in Herkimer until 1957 when she became a devoted mother and homemaker. She loved her home and the warm feeling of baking and sewing. Marion was happiest when she was surrounded by her many friends and family especially her grandchildren. With a strong belief in God she was a member of the Herkimer Reformed Church. She was also a member of the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. Richard will always be remembered as a loving, caring and hopeful person and will be greatly missed. Surviving are her husband of forty-eight years Walter, one son Alan Richard and his wife Barbara of East Herkimer, three daughters and their husbands, Cathy and Ray Bush of Ilion, Debra and Dale Keyser of East Herkimer, Sandra and John Lindig of Ilion, five brothers, Alton and his wife Madelyn Helmer of Fairfield, Frank Helmer of East Herkimer, Stuart and his wife Deborah Helmer of Tarboro, NC, Leon and his wife Linda Helmer of Norway, Burt and his wife Mary Ellen Helmer of Herkimer, two sisters, Laverne Helmer of Mohawk and Irene Euron of Little Falls, nine grandchildren, Ann Marie, Stephanie and Emily Richard of East Herkimer, Corey and Chelsea Bush of Ilion, Joshua and Brandon Keyser of East Herkimer, Taylor and Jillian Lindig of Ilion, a brother-in-law, Albert Richard of East Herkimer, two sister-in-laws, Mary Ervin of East Herkimer, Sheila Aiello of Herkimer, many nieces and nephews.. Besides her parents a brother, Eugene Helmer and sister Pearl Small, preceded her in death. Funeral service will be on Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Herkimer Reformed Church. The Reverend James Foster, Interim Pastor will officiate. Mrs. Richard will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery later this spring. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:30 until 8:30 pm. Expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department or the Herkimer Reformed Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family would like to express their appreciation to the Doctors and Staff of Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital for all of their care and compassion during Marions illness. Members of the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary are asked to meet in the funeral home at 7:00 pm this evening for ritualistic services.