Helen Elizabeth (Kanick) Bencic

Helen Elizabeth (Kanick) Bencic, age 84, died on Monday, May 20, 2013 at the Communities of Indian Haven, Indiana, PA. She was born August 14, 1928 in Coal Run, PA and was the daughter of Walter and Helen (Pac) Kanick. Helen is survived by three daughters, Helen Mehus and husband Bruce of Indiana, PA; Patricia Andrascik and husband Stephen of Indiana, PA and Fran Strong and husband Richard of Woodbridge, VA; daughter-in-law Amy Bencic of Homer City; six grandchildren, Brian Mehus and wife Jess, Melanie Kmetz and husband Adam, Dan Andrascik and wife Rebecca, Nicole Duncan and husband Jason, Deanna Bencic and Evan Bencic; five great grandchildren, Tyler and Wynne Kmetz, and Joshua, Abigail and Mackenzie Duncan. Helen was very active in community and civic activities all her life. She was a former member and officer of PTA, Woman's club of Homer City, Homer City Homemakers and the Homer City Historical Society. She was a 4-H leader for over 25 years teaching many how to sew and was Superintendent of the Home Economics exhibits at the Indiana County fair. She was a 35 year member of the Homer City Kiwanis Club and held various offices through the years. She was the first female elected to a office and enjoyed all the activities of the club. She was a member of the Our Lady of the Assumption Church and the Alter Rosary Society. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, American Red Cross and Aging Services of Indiana. She was an active member of the Homer City and Aultman Senior Centers. She was an expert seamstress and enjoyed teaching crafts of all types, including the art of psysanky egg decorating and tole painting. She loved to travel and led many groups on enjoyable bus tours. Helen loved playing bingo and cards. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband John J. Bencic, son John Bencic, Jr. and sister Frances Yanoscsik. She is survived by brothers Henry Kanick of Homer City, Robert Kanick of Indiana, Stanley Kanick of Avonmore. Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She will be missed by many. Friends will be received Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 at the C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Homer City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Lucernemines Site with the Rev. Fr. Ron Cyktor, celebrant; with interment to follow in the church cemetery.