Helen J. Welc

Helen Welc was a loving and generous woman who gave continuously to her family throughout her lifetime. Her personality shone like the sun warm and compassionate, and she filled a room with her presence, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. Friends and family cherished Helens friendship as they lived, loved and treasured every moment together. The first years of the 1940s marked a tumultuous decade for America, as well as for the rest of the world. In Europe, fighting erupted between Allied and Axis forces, and America would soon be drawn into this conflict with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Despite the chaos around the world, Frank and Helen (Zarimba) Welc of Muskegon, Michigan had something wonderful to focus on, the birth of their daughter, Helen, on May 27, 1941. Helen was the youngest of three girls. She and her older sisters, Adeline and Florence, undoubtedly filled the house with their share of laughter and memories growing up. They lived on Post Road in a house their father built (which was one of many), while her parents owned and operated the family business, Frank Welc Grocery Store, in Muskegon Heights. Helen attended Maple Grove Elementary School, and spent much of her leisure time playing baseball, cowboys and Indians, going fishing and getting chased by geese while visiting her grandparents on their farm in Rothbury. In her teen years, Helen had lots of fun hanging out with her two sisters, and girlfriends, Carol and Bobbi, and cousin, Bobby Krumpas. She loved to share stories of their adventures back then, and the countless hours and nickels they spent playing pinball. Time together as a family was important too, and Helen, her sisters and her parents enjoyed many leisure Sunday drives, big holiday dinners and going to the movies at Michigan Theater. They were also members of St. Michaels Catholic Church. Helen worked as a waitress at the Sugar Bowl in Muskegon Heights, during high school; however, after graduating from Muskegon Heights High in 1959, she went to work full-time in her familys store. It wasnt all work and no play though for Helen. The store was often closed at 1 p.m. and a sign posted on the front door saying gone fishing, back when the fish stop biting. During the summer, Helen hung out with Joey and Vicki, and after closing the store at 2 a.m., they refilled the store coolers with pop and beer and headed down to Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon on their motorcycles to play hide & seek with Bob and Florence on their motorcycles. Fun times were always just around the corner when Helen was around! For Helen, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life. Although she never married, she helped raise her six nieces and nephews, and there wasnt anything she wouldnt do for them. They affectionately thought she was the Best Aunt in the World. Also numbered to her family was her dog, Butch, who stayed with her at the store. In 1976 a tragic event. Helen was working at the store when an armed robber came in and shot her in the hand. She fled to the back of the store with the robber in chase, where he was shot and killed by her father. Shortly after, the family closed the store for good. Music was an important part of Helens life. She was a self-taught musician and played many different instruments, mainly the accordion. Helen put together a 5 member band called the Helen Welc Polka Band and they played every Friday and Saturday at Jennies in Muskegon. The band polkaed-it-up playing at weddings, including Joey and Nells and Vicki and Johns. Helen took time to travel in her leisure time too. Once she headed out for a quiet Sunday drive with her family and ended up going completely around Lake Michigan. Her most memorable trip, however, was the 28-day adventure she took with her father, sister, Adeline, and her husband, Joe, and her six nieces and nephews, traveling out west in her motor home. Of course, on the trip back, they had to swing by Las Vegas for a few days for some gambling fun and to see Tony Orlando and Dawn perform. Nothing made Helen happier than to spend time with family and friends. She loved to play cards and especially enjoyed poker game nights at her house with her many girlfriends, which included Lorraine, Nan and Peggy. Helen was also a die-hard Detroit Tiger fan and a big Pepsi lover. On September 27, 2011, Helens life took a drastic turn when she fell at home, and it was discovered that she had cancer. Undeterred, Helen was full of hope and continued to live and plan for the future. Funny, she actually was looking forward to losing her hair because she was told it would come back curly. Sadly, Helen passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 3, 2011, surrounded by the family and friends she held so dear to her heart. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Helen is survived by her nieces & nephews: Joseph Tokarczyk, Vicki (John) Belasco, James (Jeanne) Tokarczyk, Michelle (Juan Mendez) Tokarczyk, Frank (Mirelda) Tokarczyk; many great & 2 great great grand nieces & nephews; and brother-in-law, Joseph Tokarczyk. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Adeline Tokarczyk, Florence (Robert) Manigold; and niece, Kathy Tokarczyk. Services will be held on Thursday, November 10, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation is on Wednesday, November 9, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon, and on Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Please visit Helens personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you may sign her online guest book and share a memory with her family.