Helen B. Yonchak of Brookfield passed away peacefully at 12:07 AM, Sunday, May 6, 2018,

in Sharon Regional Medical Center. She was 94.

She was born April 17, 1924, in New Alexandria, PA, the daughter of John and Anna (Hrabosky) Belus. She attended Sacred Heart Parochial Grade School, Sharon, and graduated from Brookfield High School in 1942.

Her husband, Paul Yonchak, whom she married on August 16, 1945, in Sacred Heart

Church, by the Very Reverend Monsignor James F. Murphy, passed away May 24, 2008.

Helen was employed for 19 years at the former Packard Electric Division of General

Motors, Warren, OH, retiring in 1979 to travel and spend quality time with her family. She was previously employed by the former Sharon Transformer Div. of Westinghouse Electric Corp.

Being a member of the 'greatest generation' there wasn't much

Helen couldn't do. A self-taught seamstress, she took great delight in making clothes for her children, which even included designing and sewing her daughter Marcia's wedding dress and bridal gowns. Throw in some prom dresses, Halloween costumes, student play outfits, priest vestments, and even grandchildren's clothes, she was happiest at her sewing machine. Known in her neighborhood as 'the seamstress,' Helen would alter, make, or design, many a neighbor's wardrobe pieces. As her reputation for sewing grew, retail stores in the Shenango Valley sought her talents to have her design and sew custom-made draperies for their establishments.

Helen was a lifetime member of Church of the Sacred Heart,

Sharon.

A devoted parishioner, she was a past member of the Sacred Heart

Mother's Club, and very active in the Parish where she was a member of the choir, later becoming the Choir Director. Blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, she cantered

special liturgies, weddings, and funerals of friends who passed. Helen enjoyed working church card parties, bazaars, bake sales and dinners and always enjoyed Sacred Heart's special 'St. Patrick's Day Dances.' Her faith and devotion to her church was of great importance, as she believed it showed her children what truly was important in life. She later became a member

of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, and was a member of the Catholic

Daughters of America, Court 507, Sharon.

Her true calling in life, however, was that of being a dedicated wife, mother, Grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was well known for her homemade Christmas cookies and other baked goods, always presenting someone with some special treat. Family traditions were kept alive by Helen as she would host special holiday dinners and carry out the customs of her Slavic heritage.

Surviving are: three daughters, Paula M. (Edward) Pinch, Hermitage, Marcia A. (Richard) Karg, Nashville, TN, and Donna M. (Michael) Davis, Orlando, FL; a son, Richard Paul (Nancy) Yonchak, Brookfield; a sister, Margaret (Richard) Lisovitch, Brookfield; a brother Paul (Aileen) Belus, Brookfield; five grandchildren: Lisa Costa, Shelley Sinkuc, Richard, Andy and Elizabeth Karg; and six great grandchildren, Elena, Isabella and Gia Costa; Joshua and Ciara Sinkuc; and Stella Karg.

In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary Adamchick; and a brother John Belus.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Catholic Daughters of America, Court #507, Sharon, 602 Milliken Ave., Sharpsville, PA, 16150; or the American Heart Association, 840 Southwestern Run, Youngstown, OH 44514.

Calling hours will be 10 a.m. until the time of Mass Friday ( 5-11-18 ) in the Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Rd, Hermitage, PA 16148 .

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11: 30 a.m. Friday , in the church, with Very Rev. Richard J. Allen, pastor, as celebrant, and Msgr. Andrew H. Karg, concelebrant.

Entombment: St. Rose Mausoleum, Hermitage

Arrangements by J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.