Robert J. Helch Jr.
Robert J. Helch Jr., 61, of Conneaut Lake died Tuesday at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, following a lengthy cancer illness.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Dec. 26, 1947, a son of the late Robert J. and Elaine R. Reiner Helch Sr.
He married Linda Bodnar Feb. 27, 1971.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1968 to 1970.
Bob was employed at the Witco Chemical Corp., Petrolia, for 25 years. He and Linda also were the owners and operators of the Oasis Nightclub at Conneaut Lake from 1981 to 1986.
He was an active member of the Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 and the Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Department Station 5. He was president of the Station 5 auxiliary and was dedicated to assisting firefighters at the scene of a call with food and beverages.
Bob enjoyed horses, trains, volunteering at the Meadville Livestock Auction, helping anyone in need by putting others before himself and especially his time spent with his grandchildren.
He was a member of Our Lady Queen of the Americas Roman Catholic Church, Conneaut Lake.
Survivors, in addition to his wife Linda of 38 years, include a son, Robert J. Helch III and his wife, Tara, of Meadville; a daughter, Susan Stright and her husband, William, of Hartstown; five grandchildren, Blake, Breann, Baeli, Luke and Brendon; two brothers, Richard Helch of East Brady and Gary Helch and his wife, Sue, of Pittsburgh; two sisters, Elaine Shelatz and her husband, Roger, of Conneaut Lake and Sally Helch and her husband, Lenny Helbling, of New Wilmington; his mother-in-law, Dolores Bodnar of Bruin; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Helch.
<B>HELCH </B>— Calling hours for Robert J. Helch Jr., who died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, are from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>Waid-Coleman Funeral Home</B>, 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Roman Catholic Church, 155 S. Ninth St., Conneaut Lake, with Father Steve Anderson as celebrant. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of the Americas Cemetery.A scripture prayer service will be held at 8:45 p.m. today at the funeral home.Memorials may be made to the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335 or to the Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Department Station 5, for the children's Christmas fund, 11965 State Highway 618, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316.
