Ohio couple married 70 years, die within hours of each other

An Ohio couple who eloped to the tri-state to get married 70 years ago died just hours apart. Helen Felumlee Of Nashport in central Ohio died April 12. She was 92. Her husband, 91-year-old Kenneth Felumlee, died just 15 hours later.

The two were first introduced by friends when they were 18 and after three years of dating they decided to elope on February 20 1944 to Newport, KY.—as at just two days shy of his 21st birthday Kenneth was too young to marry in Ohio, and “couldn’t wait” another 48 hours, Jim says.

Kenneth worked as a mail carrier in Nashport while Helen stayed home, cooking and cleaning for their growing family, as well as helping out others in need within their community—both were also active in their local church and taught Sunday school.

After Kenneth retired and the couple’s children started leaving home the Felumlees began to explore the U.S.—visiting nearly all 50 states in total. Amazingly, they never spent one single night sleeping apart in 70 years.

Such was their devotion to each other that after Kenneth had to have his leg amputated two-and-a-half years ago, and his health began to fail, Helen began sleeping on the couch so she could be near to him.

Despite her own deteriorating health, Helen was Kenneth’s primary caretaker—continuing to nurse and care for him right up till three weeks before their deaths.

Linda says that as soon as Helen passed away Kenneth was ready to join her.

“She was staying strong for Dad and he was staying strong for her,” she says. “That’s what kept them going.”

And, sure enough, after Helen’s death Kenneth began to fade and he died fifteen hours later surrounded by his closest friends and family.

“It was a wonderful going away party,” Linda says. “He was ready. He just didn’t want to leave her here by herself.”

Agencies/Canadajournal