Helen B. Martinko, 1930-2020

She was born April 12, 1930, in Youngstown, to Michael Puhala and Helen Kalay Puhala.

She grew up in Smokey Hollow and lived in Youngstown and Poland all of her life.

Helen was a 1949 graduate of The Rayen School and worked at Republic Steel and General Electric. She was an accomplished homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her husband and family. She enjoyed music and dancing with her husband, and spent many evenings with him at the Avon Oaks Ballroom and other local venues of the era.

She was a member of Christ Our Savior Parish at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Struthers for more than 60 years.

She is survived by her four children, Margaret (Jeff) Proch of Canfield, Janet (Steve) Planey of Canfield, Steve (Teresa) Martinko of Southport, N.C. and Dr. Karen (Dave) Lehtinen of Cary, N.C.; and six grandchildren, Jonathan Proch of Independence, Kathryn Proch of Washington, D.C., Megan Martinko of Seattle, Wash., Sara Martinko of Dayton, David Lehtinen of Cary, N.C. and Lily Lehtinen of Cary, N.C.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Stephen A. Martinko, whom she married Oct. 11, 1952; four sisters, Ann (Pat) O’Neill, Mary Ann Puhala, Margaret (James) Harris and Josephine (James) Krasinski; and three brothers, Michael Puhala, and infants Joseph Puhala and John Puhala.

Family and friends will be received at a 10 a.m. funeral Mass for Helen on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at St. Nicholas Church in Struthers.

Interment will be in Poland Riverside Cemetery, following the mass.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland. Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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