Helen F. Mantonya, age 86, of Deepwater, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at St. John Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Helen was born March 12, 1939, in Benton County, Missouri, the daughter of Edmund and Sallie (Stadler) Gaylord. A deep woman of faith, her salvation came at the early age of thirteen. While the location of the salvation was not concerning to God it was humorous to her family… it took place in an outhouse.
She was raised in the Finey and National community where she attended school. She attended Warsaw High School for three years before graduating in 1957 from Shawnee Mission High School in Shawnee, Kansas.
On June 15, 1956, Helen was united in marriage to her sweetheart, Edward Lee “Ed” Mantonya, at Finey Baptist Church in Henry County. The couple made their first home in Merriam, Kansas, where they attended and later became members of Merriam Christian Church. After Ed was laid off from the KC Railway Terminal in 1957, they returned to Henry County and lived on the family farm while Ed worked at Bishop’s Gunstock Factory in Warsaw.
In January 1958, seeking better opportunities, Helen and Ed traveled to California with just $75 to their name, driving straight through and arriving in Whittier on January 10. They returned to Missouri in 1959 to a farm near McGirk, Missouri; in 1960 to western Benton near the Grand River; in 1961 to southeast Henry County and finally in 1962 to the Mantonya family farm where they built their home, raised their family and lived out her life.
Throughout her life, Helen worked tirelessly alongside her husband to support their family. She took on housework wherever she could, later working in the office at Fajen’s Gunstock, as well as at Gladene’s Café and Treva’s Restaurant. Earlier in life, she was employed at Sears & Roebuck Mail Order in Kansas City and served as an Avon representative while living in California. In 1983, Helen and Ed established Ed’s Refrigeration Heating & Electrical, operating with what they proudly called a “bust or broke” attitude. The business faithfully served Benton and Henry Counties with honest and reliable service for many years.
Helen was deeply involved in her community. She was a member of the Nature Knights, she served as President of the R-10 PTA and was an active member and later leader in 4-H, earning her 10-year pin. She also received a civic award for her role in helping catch thieves in southeast Henry County.
Above all, Helen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her family.
She is survived by her children: Vicky Church of Clinton, Missouri; Kathy O’Dell of Calhoun, Missouri; and Michael Mantonya of Deepwater, Missouri; her grandchildren, Sarah Church Austin, Jacob Church, Zachary Mantonya, Brandon Mantonya, Alexis Mantonya, and Mya Mantonya; step-grandson Joshua Shinn; great-grandchildren Livie, Elijah, Lexon, Trey, and Lilli; and step great-grandchildren Jamison and Presley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund and Sallie Gaylord; her husband, Edward “Ed” Mantonya, her brother, Wilbur Gaylord; five sisters; Juanita Brakensiek, Ethel Edwards, Thelma Shinn, Leona Branch and Sandra Byerly, and her sons-in-law, Kermit Shinn, Wayne Church, and Martin O’Dell.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Reser Funeral Home, 101 W. Main Street, Warsaw, Missouri. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to City Union Mission, Baptist Ridge Camp, or Forged By Christ Ministries.
