Pastor's Wife Helen DeArmey With the Lord

This notice, from today's Johnstown (PA) Tribune-Democrat, was passed on by Bill Darr of the Grace library staff:

DeArmey, Helen E. (Shaffer)

DeARMEY – Helen E. (Shaffer), 85, Friedens, formerly of Thomasdale, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, went home to be with the Lord Sept. 6, 2009, at her home. Born April 24, 1924, in Jenner Township, Somerset County, daughter of William W. Sr. and Mary B. (Berkey) Shaffer.

Preceded in death by parents; husband of 56 years, the Rev. Max A. DeArmey, on April 6, 2002; sisters, Daryle (Heckman) Bittner and Lois Lohr; brother, Paul Georg; sisters-in-law, Catherine (DeArmey) Baith, Jean (Huster) Shaffer, Geraldine (Felix) Shaffer and Joann (Riblett) Shaffer; brothers-in-law, Warren Baith, the Rev. Richard DeArmey, Leslie "Lee" Rose, Frank Sofaly and Richard Hemminger; and nephew, Kenneth Lohr. Survived by children: Cary L., married to Hazel Works, Ashland City, Tenn.; E. Sue, married to Jack C. Lipscomb, Huddleston, Va.; Timothy J., Manassas, Va.; and Mary Kay "Katy," married to the Rev. D. Wayne Lasure, Jenner Township; grandchildren: Douglas Moyer, married to Crystalin Sheldon, Richmond, Va.; Bill DeArmey, married to Stephanie Lee, Durham, N.C.; Eric Lasure, married to Tammie Schrock, Friedens; Travis DeArmey, married to Amy Shurin, Johnstown; Scott DeArmey, married to Liza Potter, Savanna, Ga.; Matthew Lasure, married to Jenilee Speigle, Davidsville; Tarah (Lasure), married to Darin Mauzy, Las Vegas, Nev.; Julie (DeArmey), married to Matthew Larkin, Culpepper, Va.; and Jesse Lasure, married to Amanda McVicker, Fishertown; five stepgrandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 14 stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by brothers and sisters: William W. Shaffer Jr., Jenner Township; Robert C. Shaffer, and wife, Gloria, Westmont; Lee J. Shaffer, Jenner Township; Margaret Hemminger, Berlin; and Florence Sofaly, Friedens; brother-in-law, Robert Lohr, Sun City, Fla.; and sister-in-law, Lois (McAchren) DeArmey, Osceola, Ind.

She was a 1942 graduate of the former Boswell High School. Helen's life touched many as she served along side her husband and pastor at the Listie Grace Brethren Church, the Gray Alliance Church and the Jenner Grace Brethren Church.

She was a member of the Somerset Alliance Church, where she enjoyed being part of the WDS Group. Viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Hoffman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 109 Church Road and Route 403, Davidsville. Viewing also will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Friday at Somerset Alliance Church, the Rev. Scott T. Ream, officiating. Interment, Thomas Mennonite Cemetery, Thomas Mills, with the Rev. Wayne Lasure officiating. Memorials to the Somerset Alliance Church, 708 Stoystown Road, Somerset, Pa. 15501, would be appreciated.

Published in the Johnstown Tribune Democrat from 9/8/2009 - 9/9/2009