Helen Mccaleb

Helen Marie McCaleb age 91, of Erie, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Fairview Manor.

She was a beloved grandmother, mother, sister and friend who was born February 26, 1924, in Erie to Mary Wonner and Steve Gunesch.

Helen attended Irving, Roosevelt, and Strong Vincent Schools. She was a faithful and active member at Zion’s Lutheran Church and Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.

She graduated High School in 1942 and began working for Federal Service in the Selective Service Department. This was when the draft for the military was in place and she worked on the draft board. When that closed down, she was offered a job with the Social Security office. She worked until 1953.

Helen married Paul Eugene McCaleb on May 3, 1952 in Zion’s Lutheran Church and they had three boys. She joined Emmanuel Presbyterian Church and was active as Den mother in the Cub Scout Program and a youth group leader. Helen was also involved with the Women’s Association, serving on the Board’s Funeral Dinners, a member of the Stella O’Shea Circle, and a member of the Lighted Steeple People Retirement group, helped with the Bible School summer programs, Emmanuel’s Election Day Bake Sales, and yearly church rummage sales.

Helen enjoyed traveling on vacations with family and friends. She had traveled to all but seven of the United States. When her grandson was going to be born in Iceland, Helen got a passport and traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland to help her family with the newborn.

She was preceded in death by her parents (Mary Wonner and Steve Gunesch); brothers (Ernie Gunesch and Edward Gunesch); husband (Paul McCaleb); two sons (Philip McCaleb and Kevin McCaleb) and grandson (Paul J. McCaleb).

She is survived by her sons, Brian D. McCaleb; daughter in law, Debra E. McCaleb of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Grandson, Capt. Jesse P. McCaleb currently stationed at Camp Carroll, South Korea and granddaughter, Brianna S. McCaleb of Manhattan, Kansas. She will also be dearly missed by her faithful dog companion, Copper.

Special thanks are expressed to her care takers of Home Instead Care of Erie, and the Fairview Manor Nursing Facility in Fairview, PA. Also we extend gratitude to family and church friends who took the time to visit her in the hospital and nursing facilities.

Friends may call at the Burton Wintergreen Funeral Home on Monday from 2 to 5p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. are invited to attend a service there on Tuesday at 1 p.m. Burial to follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com