Helen M. Parkins, age 93, resident of 8919 Dingman Road, Guys Mills, PA passed away on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA. Born in Dunedin, FL on January 19, 1919, she was a daughter of the late Louis Cline and Marguerite Shaw Cline. First married to William Keyerleber, she later married Alfred Parkins in 1971 and he preceded her in death in 1994.
Helen graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1941 earning a BS Degree in Nursing. In earlier years, she was employed as a registered nurse in the Emergency Clinic in Cleveland and later worked as a school nurse in Mentor, Ohio. In 1975 she and her husband, Alfred, retired to Linesville, PA and in 1992 they moved to Erie. After his passing in 1994, she remained a member of First Assembly of God in Erie until 2004 when she moved to Cambridge Springs. There she lived with her daughter, Karen, until 2009 and then she lived with her daughter, Judith, in Guys Mills until the present.
Helen was known for her giving spirit and would volunteer where ever needed. She found pleasure in baking “goodies” for others, especially her grandchildren. Helen was loved by everyone she met and her love for her Savior was evident in everything she did.
Surviving Helen is a son – Douglas Keyerleber of Denver, CO; two daughters – Judith Copeland and her husband, Jim of Guys Mills, PA; and Karen Orozco and her husband, Richard of Cambridge Springs; three stepdaughters – Barbara Ewing of Rome, OH; Sharon Gensel of Reading, PA; and Kathleen Hahn of Raleigh, NC. There are 26 grandchildren and 21 great grand children who also survive. Preceding Helen in death in addition to her husband, Alfred Parkins, was a daughter – Sandra Tarbutton and two brothers – Robert Kline and Gordon Cline.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Saturday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 with Pastor Michael Fraser,of Lyona Bible Church, officiating. Interment will be in Cambridge Cemetery.
I am Joseph Serian. I was married to Helen’s daughter, Karen. My heartfelt, belated sympathy and condolences for all her family. By this obituary, I am also deeply saddened by Karen’s sister’s passing– Sandy, and also her father, Bill.
This family is a precious gem to all of us who knew them. In remembrance, may Helen’s memory be a blessing.
-Joe
Hello, your family won’t know me, but I saw the obit in the Erie paper. First of all I want to give my sympathy to the family. I did know Barbara and her sisters way back when we were children and would be so happy if I could reconnect with her. Our families were friends when they first moved from Erie to Mentor-on-the-Lake and I have fond memories of that time. Please, would you ask her to contact me? She can use the email provided here, or call 814-864-7685. Thank you.. I hope this is not an imposition at this time. I will keep your family in my prayers.