Helen Kodish, age 94 and formerly of Feeder Avenue in Lewistown, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021 at Valley View Haven, Belleville. She was born October 13, 1926 in Mansfield to Welch and Helen Cleveland.
Following graduation from Mansfield High School and from business school in Baltimore, Helen went to work at Mansfield State College where she met her future husband Carl. The couple married in 1949 and moved to Lewistown when Carl got a job teaching at Rothrock High School. Carl preceded Helen in death in November, 1999.
Helen loved people, had a tremendous sense of humor, and she really loved sports. Helen was an avid bowler, bowling weekly well into her 80’s. She followed the Philadelphia Phillies, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Boston Celtics religiously, and she especially enjoyed watching basketball and golf. Whether it was the Lewistown Lady Panthers, Notre Dame, or the Celtics on the hardwood, or Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods on the golf course, Helen was an enthusiastic fan who did not miss much of the action.
Helen especially loved high school sports and supporting student athletes. She proudly served as treasurer of the Lewistown Panther Club for parts of five decades and stayed with the club until the school’s dissolution in 2011. She took great pride in her recordkeeping skills and always loved it when she received a nice note from the auditor when her books came back from the annual audit. She always enjoyed helping to plan the annual Panther Club Banquet, and loved her interactions with super club presidents like Carl Smith, long-time secretary Dana Henry, and chief advertising salesman Roger Barr.
For many years Helen worked for Mifflin County. She started out in the county’s Civil Defense Department before finishing her county career as a secretary in the Court of Common Pleas office. As a county employee she founded the Employee Fund and was the creator of the annual courthouse holiday party. Helen always thought it was important to be kind, to do the right thing, and to help others. She showed that in her work and personal relationships throughout her life.
Helen is survived by her sister Donna of Montoursville. She was preceded in death by her brother Ellis and sisters Beatrice and Doris.
Helen was a proud mother of four children: Kathleen Reeder, and husband Timothy; Carl “Buddy” Kodish; Margaret Zook; and Kevin Kodish, and wife Machelle. Helen adored her six grandchildren: Jake Reeder; Emily Reeder; Jennifer Casanova (husband Fernando); Jason Zook; Katy Warke (husband Derek), and Brooke Rutledge (husband Kyle). Helen is also survived by three great grandchildren – Fitzgerald Rutledge, London Rutledge, and Max Warke.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 18 at King-Barr Funeral Home, 120 Logan Street, Lewistown. Masks will be required. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, March 19 at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Juniata Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Skills of Central PA, 6395 State Route 103 North, Building 35, Lewistown, PA 17044; or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 106 North Dorcas Street, Lewistown, PA 17044.