An Ohio couple who had been married for 70 years died only 15 hours apart from each other, with the wife dying first.
Helen Felumlee, 92, died April 12 and her husband, 91-year-old Kenneth Felumlee followed the next morning, reports the Zanesville Times Recorder. Their daughter Linda Cody said, "We knew when one went, the other was going to go." She added, "We wanted them to go together, and they did."
The couple was known to be inseparable throughout their married life. An example was that years ago they traveled on a ferry that had bunk-beds. Unable to part even for one night, decided instead to share the bottom bunk.
They met when Helen was 18 and Kenneth was 19 and after dating for three years, they quietly eloped and kept it secret from their parents for a few weeks. They had eight children and Kenneth split time working at the B&O/Chessie Systems Railroad and the Felumlee Garage for awhile.
According to The Associated Press, after they retired and their children were older, they began to travel by bus across the United States doing their best to visit all the states.
Their health began to deteriorate a few years ago and due to circulation problems, Kenneth had to get a leg amputated. Helen did her best to be his primary caretaker until her failing health became too much for her to overcome. "She was so weak, she could hardly do it," Cody said.
After Helen passed away, family and friends gathered by Kenneth's side until he died. "He was ready," said Cody. "He just didn't want to leave her here by herself."