Helen L. (Ward) Blackwelder

Helen Louise Blackwelder, age 86, of Salem, Ohio, passed from this life to her heavenly home on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at the Andover Village Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, Andover, OH.

She was born on June 23, 1936, to Willie B. and Hazel (Dawn) Ward. On April 22, 1955, Helen married her sailor sweetheart, James Lamar Blackwelder. To their union were born one daughter and one son. She faithfully served with her husband, who was an ordained elder, in the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection in the following churches: Princeton, WV; English, WV; Pleasant Hill in Hookstown, PA; Hillsdale, PA; Allida Smith Memorial in Meadville, PA; Oblong, IL; Salem, OH; Miramichi Valley, New Brunswick, Canada; Meadville, PA; and Canton II, Canton, OH.

As a sweet woman of God, Mrs. Blackwelder was active in the music ministry as well as children and youth ministries. From the youngest to the eldest of the congregations, they were deeply loved by this pastor’s wife who was always available to them. Certainly, many will miss her smiling face and caring spirit. She was a member of the Salem Wesleyan Methodist Church, Salem, Ohio.

She is survived by a daughter, Wanda Marshall and her husband Rev. Michael, of Greenville, PA; a son, Stephen Blackwelder and his wife, Simone, of Spartanburg, SC; a sister, Sandra W. Mauney and her husband, David, of Providence Forge, VA; a grandson, Justin Blackwelder and his wife Heather; two great-granddaughters, Kaidyn and Keira, and one great-grandson, Bryson.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Blackwelder was preceded in death by her loving husband who died on September 12, 2014; her first grandchild, Trista Blackwelder; three brothers, W. B. Ward Jr., Charles Ward, and Robert Ward; and one sister, Marie Laughter.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 12:00 noon with viewing from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon at the Salem Wesleyan Methodist Church, 1095 Newgarden Road, Salem. Ohio 44460 Officiating will be Rev. Stanley Grabill and Rev. Michael Marshall. Interment will be on Wednesday, September 21, at 11 :00 A.M. at the Venango Cemetery, Venango, PA 16440.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home, Sheakleyville, PA.

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