Helen Mellinger, 88, Altamonte Springs, FL, Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Helen was born at home on May 5th, 1926 in Columbiana, Ohio. She was the daughter of Norman and Sue (Harrold) Pregenzer, Sr. While working as a pharmacy assistant she met a hotshot fly-boy, Bob Mellinger of Youngstown, Ohio and they were married June 4th, 1948.

Helen loved to craft and sew, creating most of her own fashions for many years. Her gardens produced food and numerous bouquets for the family table. Always busy, Helen served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader, PTA President, and Camp Fire Girls leader. She served the East Liverpool, Ohio area as the Welcome Wagon lady for many years until her retirement in the 1980s.

Friends and family will fondly remember that "mom" was always ready for a chat at the kitchen table (command central) any evening over a cup of coffee, the newspaper crossword, and her to-do lists for the coming day.

The Mellingers enjoyed many years of active retirement, spending their summers in East Liverpool, Ohio and winters in Orlando, Florida from 1980-2009. She swam and exercised faithfully, keeping pace with her three energetic grandsons. Bob & Helen moved to Florida in 2012 to be near family.

Helen leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Robert Mellinger. Her son James Mellinger (Julia) lives in Houston, TX. Her daughter, June Yarborough (Cecil) lives in Altamonte Springs, FL. Grandsons Joshua Yarborough, Daniel Yarborough (Wendi) and two great-granddaughters also live in the Central Florida area, Jacob Yarborough lives in Seattle, WA.

Memories and a celebration of her life will take place at the family home in Ohio at a future date.