ALBION — Helen L. Cardinal, 86, of Albion, died on Sunday November 27, 2016 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. She was born on December 14, 1929 in Albion to the late Daniel and Blanch Leatherman. She was a graduate of the Albion Jefferson High School. On November 10, 1950, she married Lester Cardinal. He preceded her in death on December 10, 2007. She was a member of the Rebecca Lodge for many years, and enjoyed collecting books, going to auctions, and living on Skinner Lake. In the late 1970s, she founded Cardinal Insurance, which she owned and operated for over 30 years. Survivors include son, Nicholas (Pam) Cardinal of Albion, and daughter, Tina (Jim) Huffman of Fort Wayne; grandchildren Valerie (Ray) Vasquez and Anthony (Carrie) Huffman; great-grandchildren Nicholas, Nathan, Nelson, Nathaniel, Kyra and Ethan; and great-great-grandson, Cooper. Also surviving are her siblings, Joan Bushong, Leonard Leatherman, Fonda Muesing, Melford Leatherman, Joseph Leatherman and Keith Leatherman; and special friends, Belita and Roger. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Nicholas Cardinal II, and brothers Everett Leatherman, Ernest Leatherman, and Donald Leatherman, and brother-in-law Bernon Cardinal. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday Dec. 2, 2016 at Harper Funeral Homes, Albion Chapel, 771 Trail Ridge Road, Albion, with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 4-8 p.m. today at the funeral home. She will be buried next to her beloved husband Lester at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion. Memorials are to a .