Helen Kathleen (Steele) Stamper, age 92, of Shelby, died Monday evening, August 3, 2026 at the home of her granddaughter, Kristina, following a brief illness.
Kathleen was born May 19,1934 in Frenchburg, KY, the daughter of the late Wade and Pearl Mae (Staton) Steele. She was a 1952 graduate of Frenchburg High School and later that summer, married Eugene “Gene” Stamper on July 5th. Kathleen and Gene celebrated 47 years of marriage before his passing on July 14, 1999.
For work, Kathleen had been employed at United Telephone Company in Shelby as an operator and trainer and later worked for several retail companies.
Kathleen was a proud and active member of the former Shelby Church of God- now Connect Church. Family time was important to her with her grandchildren being her pride and joy. Kathleen had enjoyed being outdoors camping and tending to her flowers. She also found joy in making ceramics and was a talented seamstress, having made lots of clothes and goose outfits over the years.
Kathleen is survived by her daughter: Jackie (Ron) Laudenslager of Morristown, TN; granddaughters: Kristina Hedges of Thornville, OH and Sierra (Troy) Belt of Millersport, OH; step-granddaughter: Brandi (Guy) Horton of Columbus; great grandchildren: Kynlee Roshon, Kendall Belt, and Karsten Belt; 4 step-great grandchildren; her beloved brother: John “Ed” (Evelyn) Steele of Willard; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Kathleen was preceded in death by her father: Wade Steele, her mother: Pearl Steele-McClain, her stepfather: Jack McClain; her husband: Gene Stamper; and her siblings: Charles (Dorothy) Steele, Dorene (Grover) Picklesimer, Joyce Steele, and Juanita Steele.
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, August 9, 2026 from 2-3 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will immediately follow at 3 pm. Pastor Rick Lewis, her pastor, will officiate the services. Burial will be on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 1 pm in Bashford Cemetery in Menifee County, KY beside her beloved husband, Gene. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association (heart.org/donate).
Condolences may be left on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or Facebook page.
So sad to hear of Kathleen’s passing, she was a wonderful person and I enjoyed working with her at woolworths. She will be greatly missed.
Jackie, I am so sorry prayers be with you
jackie, I was literally just thinking about your mom a couple days ago and wondered how she was doing. this just came up on my Facebook. I’m sorry my text Jake sends me from the funeral home. please know that I’m sending prayers and hugs to you and your family and thinking very fondly of kanky! I never spelled it so but that’s what I remember. always calling her.