Helen Marie Sheesley Harnish

Helen Marie Sheesley Harnish, 83, of Knox, formerly of Lamartine, went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 4:35 pm, Saturday, April 25, 2015, at the Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitaion Center, Sligo, after many years of declining health.

Born May 26, 1931, in Elk City, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Nellie Wingard Sheesley. She was a 1949 graduate of Salem High School and a member of the Salem Lutheran Church, both in Lamartine.

Helen was married in the Salem Lutheran Church on June 15, 1957, to Harry James Harnish, of St. Petersburg, who survives. She worked on the assembly line at Sylvania Electric Products, Inc. in Brookville, PA from 1950-1961. Helen left Sylvania in November 1961 in preparation for raising her four children.

When her youngest child had entered school, she was a baker and salad bar preparations cook at Rhea’s Motel and Restaurant in Shippenville. Helen was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a life-long member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Lamartine. Helen sewed dresses for her three daughters and was an accomplished cook and baker. She taught Sunday School to the youngest of God’s children for many years as she raised her family. Her husband was the elected tax collector of Salem Township for over 12 years, but Helen also collected the taxes and visited with the people. In the fall, she sold chestnuts that the family gathered from their own trees. Local people, as well as those from out-of-state, came back annually to buy her nuts.

In addition to her husband Harry, she is survived by three daughters, Brenda Ciancio and her husband Robert of Shippenville, Patricia Hildenbrand and her husband Wayne of Pittsburgh, and Cindy Rader and her husband Brian of Knox; and a son, Jeffrey Harnish and his wife Judy of Kempner, Texas. Helen is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Jennifer Manson of Pittsburgh, Christopher Manson of Clarion, Christine and Amanda Hildenbrand of Pittsburgh, Tamara Rader of Oneonta, New York, and Nicholas and Emily Harnish of Kempner, Texas.

Also surviving are 2 great-grandchildren, Tara and Marissa Didolce of Pittsburgh. She is also survived by one sister, Bessie Amsler of Knox and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm Tuesday at the McEntire-Weaver Funeral Home at 504 East Penn Avenue in Knox and from 10 to 11 at the Salem Lutheran Church, at 2057 Route 208, Lamartine. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday at the Salem Lutheran Church, with Rev. Sharon Hilfiger officiating. Interment will follow at the Salem Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 14663 Route 68, Sligo, PA 16255 or Charitable Deeds and Services, 98 Hickory Nut Lane, Knox, PA 16232.

To view or share photos or leave an online condolence please visit our website at www.mcentire-weaverfuneralhome.com