HELEN J. (LEPKOWSKI) O'PARKER

Dec. 25, 1922 - Feb. 21, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Helen Joan O'Parker, 87, of South Bend, IN, entered Heaven at 11:23 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2010. She was born on December 25, 1922, in South Bend, IN, to Walter and Mary Ann (Jankowski) Lepkowski.

Surviving Helen are her children, Patricia A. (Frank) Bezi of Osceola, IN, Earl P. O'Parker Jr., Suzanne M. (Larry) Cadieux and Kurt F. O'Parker, all of South Bend, IN; grandchildren, Karen M. Wisniewski, Mary Ann (Sean) Serrahn, Vicki S. Cadieux, Paul M. (Melissa) Cadieux, Steven P. Cadieux, Andrew G. Dynes, Joseph R. Dynes and Daniel A. Dynes; one great-grandchild, Gena S. Cadieux; and a sister, Irene Anderson of Seattle, WA. Helen is also survived by her three childhood friends, Leona McKnight, Jerry Williams and Helen Zielinski.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl D. O'Parker on June 16, 2004; daughter, Carol Ann Dynes in 2006; and an infant brother, Stanislaus Grzelak; brother, Clement Z. Lepkowski; sisters, Ruth Kubiak, Sophie Kazmierczak, Gertrude Sobecki and Amy Wood. Helen was also preceded in death by grandparents, Stanislaus and Teofila (Davidowska) Lepkowski, and Martin and Catherine (Kus') Jankowski; great-grandparents, Stanislaus and Agnieszka (Paluszynski) Jankowski and Jacob and Marianna (Gondek) Kus'; great-great-grandparents, Andrew and Anna (Andrysiak) Kus'; great-great-great-grandparents, Jacob and Marianna (Wodynska) Kus'.

Helen graduated from St. Hedwig Grade School and Central High School of South Bend.

She worked as a bookkeeper for Bendix Corporation and First Bank. Helen was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and took flying lessons. Helen also belonged to the U.S.O. of South Bend, helping to serve soldiers in World War II. During this time she met Earl D. O'Parker Sr., who she later married in St. Hedwig Church on May 4, 1946. During her life, Helen greatly enjoyed raising her children, visiting with her grandchildren and all her family. She had a great sense of humor and always was ready to plan and have Christmas and birthday parties. She enjoyed playing the piano for fun and was a great Chinese checker player. Also she enjoyed Christmas carols and polka songs. Her favorite song was "Just Because." Helen was close to Jesus her entire life. In addition, she had great devotion to the Blessed Mother, St. Anthony and all the saints. Helen was a member of St. Matthew Cathedral Parish and was a Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan. She lived in Chicago, IL, for two years and Detroit for 17 years. She always had fresh McDonald's coffee daily and plenty of cakes and cookies.

The family wishes to thank Memorial Hospital doctors and nurses and hospice for their wonderful care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2010, in St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami St., South Bend. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, South Bend. The family will receive friends from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, where a Rosary will be said at 5:30 p.m. Contributions in memory of Helen Joan O'Parker may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Online condolences may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Feb. 24, 2010

02/17/2023 EJS