Surrounded by her loving family, our beloved wife, sister and Aunt Helen, Helen L. Sweeley, of Spring Mills, passed away March 8, 2025, at Mount Nittany Medical Center. She was 73. Born June 27, 1951, in Bellefonte, Helen was a daughter of the late Henry F. “Hen” and Carrie E. “Lingle” Neese. She was a 1969 graduate of Penns Valley Area High School. On July 6, 1985, she married the love of her life, David R. Sweeley, who survives.
Helen was a lifetime member of the Salem United Church of Christ where she held many offices over the years. Particularly important to her was the Women’s Guild of the Church. Helen was involved in other community services. She was a lifetime member of the Penns Valley Grange where she sewed all the labels on fleece blankets to be given to children at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger. For twenty plus years you could find Helen in the headquarters at the Nittany Antique Machinery show renewing memberships. She also was secretary for the Gregg Township Alumni Association and was a member of the Gregg Township Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. Helen was very organized and efficient with any of the positions she held, giving her best no matter what it was.
Helen provided loving in-home childcare to many Penns Valley children for thirty plus years. She enjoyed cross stitch and sewing until her tremor wouldn’t allow it anymore. Then, she became an avid reader, often carrying a book to her many doctor appointments, arriving early to sit there and read. She was the organizer of the family, often arranging get-togethers and family card parties. She loved baking, cooking, butterflies, nutcrackers and playing cards and bingo.
Helen had a heart of gold, always putting others’ needs ahead of her own. She was very passionate about putting together Jarod boxes for children in the hospital and supplying care packages to the troops. Helen’s special ministry to others was through her cards she sent for birthdays, holidays and special events. Her passing has left a huge void in our lives, and we will miss her very much.
In addition to her husband, Helen is survived by one sister, Margaret Royer of Rebersburg: two brothers, Samuel “George” Neese (Betty) and David E. Neese (Audrey) both of Spring Mills and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her brother, William A. Neese, Sr. and two sisters, Katheryn Peese and Mildred S. Rowles.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses at Mount Nittany Hospital, most importantly “Amanda” who took wonderful care of Helen during her last days.
A public visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Salem United Church of Christ on Rte. 45, Spring Mills, on Sunday, March 16, 2025. The funeral service will immediately follow with Pastor Teresa Hockenberry officiating.
Contributions in her memory may be given to Salem United Church Christ, 638 Tattletown Road, Aaronsburg, PA 16820. Helen will be laid to rest in Heckman Cemetery in rural Spring Mills at a later date.