Helen Katherine Zelek

Zelek - Helen Katherine, 91, of Indiana, PA, formerly of Johnstown, passed gracefully from our hearts into God’s hands on March 2, 2015 at St. Andrews Village, Indiana, PA. Helen was born September 10, 1923 in Johnstown, PA, the daughter of John and Anna (Fitczyk) Ponczek. In 1944, she married and spent 66 ½ loving years with her husband, 2nd Lt. Stanley M. Zelek Sr., who preceded her in death in 2011 at the age of 92. In addition to her parents and husband she is preceded in death by these siblings: Walter Ponczek, Raymond Ponczek, Melvin Ponchek, Edward Ponczak, Stanley Ponchek, and Ann (Ponczek) Hutsky. Helen is survived by and will be sadly missed by her 3 children: Donna (Richard) Kelly, St. Michaels, MD; Sandra Lear, Indiana, PA; Stanley M. (Myrt) Zelek Jr., Mt. Pleasant, SC.  In addition, she is survived by 8 grandchildren: Kristen A. Vilseck (Chris) White, Henrico, VA; Joseph R. (Meghan) Vilseck III, Chesterfield, VA; William L. (Amy) Lear II, Avalon, PA; Jonathon R. (Julie) Lear, West Chester, PA; Dr. Lindsey K. Lear (Matthew) McEwen, Gibsonia, PA; Jason A. Zelek, Arlington, VA; Captain Aaron M. Zelek, U S Army, Ft Lee, VA; Lauren E. Zelek, Washington, DC. And her 4 great-grandchildren: Addison G. Lear and Benjamin W. Lear, West Chester, PA; Maxwell R. McEwen, Gibsonia, PA; and Ella Rose Lear, Avalon, PA. Helen had worked in Detroit during WWII as “Rosie the Riveter” at the Briggs Manufacturing plant. She also worked as a sales associate at Glosser Brothers and Gee Bee department stores, Johnstown. She was also a dedicated member of Ss. Gregory & Barnabas Catholic Church, Bon Air, where she volunteered yearly making pierogies and nut rolls. Helen and her husband loved polka dancing and were avid followers of the Johnstown Button Box. She had a zest for life, always full of fun with a smile on her face and a kind generous heart. Helen was an avid seamstress and enjoyed making afghans and quilts, especially for her grandchildren as they went off to college. She enjoyed numerous crafts and gardening with her good friend, Gayle Lehman. Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister to her family. She is gone from our lives, but will forever remain in our hearts. Friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. on Friday at the Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, where Vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Ss. Gregory and Barnabas Catholic Church, Bon Air, Fr Robert Ruston, Pastor. Committal service will be at the church. Private burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family suggests contributions be directed to Macular Vision Research Foundation, One Tower Bridge, 100 Front Street, Suite 300, Conshohocken, PA 18428-2894 or to Ss. Gregory & Barnabas Catholic Church, Bon Air, 120 Boltz St., Johnstown, PA.15902  in memory of Helen. On line condolences may be posted to www.wharrisfuneralhome.com.