Helen Horst

Helen W. Horst of Marion, PA passed away peacefully at the Menno Haven Nursing Center on Tuesday, October 14, 2014. She was born on June 25, 1923 in Guilford Township near Chambersburg, PA. She was the daughter of the late H. Wayne Witherspoon and E. Blanche Miller Witherspoon. She graduated from Chambersburg High School in the class of 1941 and attended Chambersburg Business School. In her early adult years she was employed as the Secretary to the Director of Public Information at Wilson College, Chambersburg for five and a half years, at which time she resigned to be married.
She and the late Ralph W. Horst were married on January 1, 1948 and remained so for 61 years until his death on April 24, 2009. Helen helped to clerk sales of farm machinery and livestock for her husband, an auctioneer, until he sold his auction business in Marion, PA and retired in January, 1992.
She was a faithful member of Heidelberg Church (formerly Heidelberg United Church of Christ) in Marion, PA for many years. There she was a teacher in the Primary Department for more than 25 years, edited the church newsletter from its inception in 1977 until 1997, served several stints as a deacon and elder on the church Consistory, was Financial Secretary for a time, was a pianist for the adult Sunday School program for many years, and was involved as a volunteer for countless church projects.

Helen’s self-less nature was also evident in her work as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for almost 25 years, as a Girl Scout leader for her daughters, and in her involvement in Marion town activities. She assisted her husband as Marion town treasurer and the two of them were mainstays in helping at Marion festivals for over 40 years. She lived in the same home in Marion for 75 years, since she and her parents moved there in 1938, until she relocated to Menno Haven last year.

Helen is survived by three children, Richard Horst, married to Brenda and living in Ellicott City, MD; Carol Hetrick, married to the late Wayne Hetrick and living in Hanover, PA; and Barbara Frederick, married to John and also living in Hanover, PA, five grandchildren, William Horst, married to Danae and living in Pasadena, CA; Megan McCann married to Tim and living in New York City; Lindsay Kelland, married to Eric and living in Baltimore, MD; Jenna Burke, married to Kyle and living in Los Angeles, CA; and Matthew Hetrick, living in Hanover, PA, one step grandchild, Wayne Hetrick, Jr, living in Hanover, PA; and a great granddaughter, Audrey Helen McCann, living in New York City.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Heidelberg Church, 166 Colorado Street, Marion, PA, 17235. Rev. Adam Leeper and Rev. Chris Renner will officiate. There will be a viewing from 6-8 PM on Friday, October 17, at the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Saturday. Interment will follow in the Maplewood Cemetery in Marion. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heidelberg Church at the above address, or to a charity of one's choice.