Helen M. Stapleton

Helen M. Stapleton, age 80, of Gaines Township, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 22, 2026. 

Helen attended Immanuel Lutheran Church, and her church and church family were very special to her. Her life verse was Psalm 23. She grew up in Hazel Park, Michigan and valued her Greek and Croatian heritage. Helen loved to travel with her husband down South. She enjoyed listening to music and watching the Detroit Tigers. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred L. and Sophie (Seitz) Pappas; brothers, Louis Pappas, Ted Pappas, and John Pappas; and sisters in law Lorraine Pappas and Dawn Pappas.

Helen is lovingly remembered by her husband of 58 years, Floyd H. Stapleton; children, Steven (Amy) Stapleton, and Sophia (Richard) Hills; grandchildren, Erik (Cera) Stapleton, Ryan (Jordan Fitzgerald) Stapleton, Sarah (Logan) Brown, Kelli Stapleton, Avery Stapleton, Seth Gillis, Nate (Maggie) Bailey, and Marla Bailey; great-grandchildren, Cole, and Emilia Stapleton, and Brynley Brown; brother, Steve Pappas; sister-in-law Beverly Pappas; and many nieces and nephews.

According to Helen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Details for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. She will be interred in Augusta, Georgia, her husband’s hometown, in a family plot at West View Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in memory of Helen may be made to Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services at pinerest.org.