Robert J. Helch, Jr.

Robert J. Helch, Jr., 61, of Conneaut Lake, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh following a lengthy cancer illness.

He was born in Pittsburgh December 26, 1947, a son of the late Robert J. and Elaine R. Reiner Helch, Sr.  He married Linda Bodnar February 27, 1971.

A U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War serving from 1968 to 1970, Bob was employed at Witco Chemical Corp., Petrolia, PA for 25 years.  He and Linda were also owners and operators of the Oasis Nightclub, Conneaut Lake from 1981 to 1986.  He was a very active member of Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. Station 3 and Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Dept. Station 5.  He served as president of the Station 5 auxiliary and was very dedicated to assisting fire fighters 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; 5 grandchildren, Blake, Breann, Baeli, Luke, and Brendon; 2 brothers, Richard Helch of East Brady and Gary Helch and his wife Sue of Pittsburgh; 2 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, PA; and many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Helch.

Calling hours are today (Wednesday) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Rd., Conneaut Lake with a Scripture Prayer service Wednesday at 8:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church, 155 S. Ninth St., Conneaut Lake with Fr. Steve Anderson as Celebrant.

Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of the Americas Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Rd., Meadville, PA 16335 or Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Dept. Station 5, for the children’s Christmas fund, 11965 State Hwy 618, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316.