Helen Beal

Helen Ruth Newill Beal, 102, of Kecksburg, died peacefully on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Easy Living Country Estates in Hunker. She was born on August 25, 1913, a daughter of the late Earl C. Newill and Edith Stairs Newill Harmon of Kecksburg. She was predeceased by husband Harry in 1999, Brother Andrew Newill, Sister Jean Porch, nephew William C. (Bill) Newill, and great-niece, Karla Jean Karl. She was the last member of her family. Helen was a life-long member and the oldest member of the Kecksburg Church of God where she had been a Sunday School teacher, member of the Ladies Aid Society and a member of the church council. She was known for her coconut cream pies and orange cookies, sharing family recipes, enjoying children, and sharing a good laugh. She enjoyed all generations of her nieces and nephews and was able to live alone in Kecksburg until she was 101, aided by daily visits from her nephew Bill. She is survived by six nieces and nephews, Myrna Armbrust of Irwin; Ruth Ann Dolly Queer (Paul) of Kecksburg; - Francis Porch (Darlene), of Overland Park, Kansas; Penelope Porch of Santa Rose, California; Pam Porch (David) and Thomas Porch of Rodgers, Arkansas; 14 great nieces and nephews, 26 great-great nieces and nephews, and two great-great-great nephews; sister-in-law Dorothy Beal and niece and nephew Richard Beal (Kathy)and Carole Wagner (Charles), from the Erie area. Also by her nephew Bill’s wife Debra Newill, and a special friend Jane Workman Kovacina of Kecksburg, In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the missionary work of her great-niece Melissa Karl Summers, Ruth Queer, 132 Meteor Road, Mt Pleasant, PA, 15666. On-line donations to Melissa may be made to Cru@www.give.cru.org/0843100 For online condolences and information please visit hofferfuneralhome.com. Thanks to the employees of Easy Living Country Estates of Hunker and Medi-Hospice for their excellent care and to hospice Chaplain Fred Bauer whose visits and singing she enjoyed. Family and friends will be received Tuesday from noon until 4pm in the Jay A Hoffer Funeral Home at which time her funeral service will be conducted by Pastor David C. Stickley of the Kecksburg Church of God and Medi-Hospice Chaplain Fred Bauer in the funeral home. Helen will be laid to rest at the Mt. Joy Church Cemetery.