Helen J. Mellinger's Obituary
Helen June Mellinger (nee Bennage), of Dunedin, FL, passed away on April 24, 2015. Helen was born June 8, 1920 in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1942 she graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. After working in several retail businesses in Harrisburg, PA, Helen became a manager at the United States Naval Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, where she met her future husband, WWII U.S. Army veteran, Edward Marlin Mellinger. Helen and Marlin were married in 1948 and moved to Camp Hill, PA where they raised three children. Helen and her family were actively involved in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill and, while raising her children, Helen was the consummate room mother, school volunteer, church school teacher, and band parent. She later resumed her professional career as an employee of the L.L. Berry advertising company, and Harris Savings and Loan. Helen is survived by her three children, Edward M Mellinger, Jr. (spouse Debra Keen Mellinger) of Evanston, IL; Mary Catherine Mellinger of Kent, Washington; and David I Mellinger (spouse Amy Y Mellinger) of Weston, Florida; as well two grandchildren, Justin David Mellinger and Gregory Alexander Mellinger.
Helen and Marlin retired to Dunedin, FL in 1978 where they became active congregants of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Dunedin and later Bethel Lutheran Church in Clearwater. Helen and Marlin enjoyed travelling, volunteer activities and spending time with their children. Marlin died in 2005 and in 2012 Helen became a resident of St. Mark Village, Palm Harbor, FL.
Memorial services are being planned for a later date in Camp Hill, PA, where Helen will be laid to rest with Marlin. Helen’s family suggests that memorial donations be made to St. Mark Village.
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