COOK – Helen I. (Gressley), 84, Loraine Road, died July 13, 2009, at Select Speciality Care, surrounded by her family. Born May 22, 1925, in Pine Flats, daughter of the late John and Eva (Lambing) Gressley. Preceded in death by brothers, Denver, Raymond, Don, Gaylord and Forrest; sisters, Ruth Nearhoof and Thelma Schilling; and infant sister, Rebecca. Survived by husband, William B. Cook Jr., whom she would have been married to for 63 years on July 27; children, Linda (John) Silko, Blairsville; Carol (Spike) Newcomer, Penn Run; Diana Olsavsky, Ebensburg; Billie Joyce (Ken) Arford, Penn Run; and Dennis (Laurel), Nanty Glo; grandchildren, Kathrine, Michele, John, Mandy, Christine, Caren, Wendy, Jesse, Meredith, Danelle, Breanne, Shawn, Robert, Jessica and Shane; and great-grandchildren, Pete, Heather, Michael, Olivia, Tyler, Alana, Kristen, Adam, Daniel, Hayle, Ethan, Ian and Tanner. Sister of Fred, Maryland, and Jean Byich, Belsano. She was a member of Cardiff Road Church of God, Nanty Glo. She worked at Levinson Dept. Store, Big Ben Co. Store, Bowers Nursing Home, Toy Ladies and Ebensburg Auto Auction. She also was a member of Jackson Township Fire Ladies Auxiliary, Nanty Glo Women's Democratic Club; Belsano Senior Citizens; and UMWA. She served as Judge of Elections in Jackson Township for 40 years. Helen enjoyed camping at Roaring Run, and all their friends she met there; bingo; auctions; traveling and weekends away with her daughters; knitting and crafts; and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Bowser-Ondriezek Funeral Home Inc., Nanty Glo, where service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, the Rev. Asa Sherman, officiating. Interment to follow at EUB Cemetery, Belsano. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jackson Township Fire Company.

Tribune-Democrat, Tues., July 14, 2009