Helen Antonette Eckelberry, 80, of Vienna, was born Sept. 12, 1943, in St. Louis, a daughter of Andrew James and Annabelle Josephine (Caffrey) Bedrosian, and passed from this life on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the University Missouri Medical Center, Columbia.
She was united in marriage Dec. 4, 1982, in the state of Ohio, to Jack Lee Eckelberry, who preceded her in death July 1, 2010.
Helen was a member of the Visitation Catholic Church, Vienna.
During her working life Helen wore many hats. She started working at the age of 17 as a factory worker for Brown Shoe Company; worked in the clerical field; was a Bi-State bus driver in St. Louis; became an over the road truck driver with her husband, Jack; a grocery store deli worker; house cleaner, nursing home food industry, and at the time of her passing she returned to the factory life employed by Quaker Window Products, Freeburg, for the last seven years where she was loved and respected and a proud company “Mentor.” Helen loved working, her flowers, gardening, dancing, and ironing but most of all spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by husband, Jack; father, Andrew, Nov. 30, 1978; mother, Annabelle, Feb. 5, 2001; siblings, Robert Bedrosian Oct. 1, 2014, Virginia Armstrong July 29, 2015, Jack Bedrosian Dec. 25, 2021, and Annabelle Niemeyer Sept. 26, 2022.
Those left to mourn the passing of Helen include son, Kevin Hayes of Vienna; daughter, Tammy (Tom) Maasen of Freeburg; stepsons, Rodger Eckelberry of Bexley, Ohio, and Tony (Christina) Eckelberry of West Jefferson, Ohio; stepdaughter, Theresa (Duane) Powell of West Jefferson, Ohio; brothers, Andrew (Susan) Bedrosian of Dixon, Jim Bedrosian, and John (Jamie) Bedrosian all of St. Louis; sister, Patricia Beck of Rolla; grandchildren, KC and Brittany Hayes of Columbus, Ohio, Tristen Maasen of Lake Ozark, Tanner Maasen of Westphalia, and Tiara Maasen of Freeburg, Audrey Eckelberry of Bexley, Ohio, Shawn and Alexis Eckelberry, and Lauren, Conor and Carlie Powell, all of West Jeff, Ohio; nine great-grandchildren in Ohio; and many very special nieces and nephews she dearly loved like her own, along with relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Mrs. Helen A. Eckelberry Friday, April 5, at Visitation Catholic Church, Vienna, with Rev. Basil Tigga and Rev. Matthew Flatley as concelebrants.
Pallbearers for Mrs. Helen Eckelberry were Kevin Hayes, Tom Maasen, Tristen Maasen, Tanner Maasen, Tony Bedrosian, and Anthony Bedrosian. Honorary Pallbearers were Andy Bedrosian, Jim Bedrosian, and John Bedrosian.
Memorials suggested in memory of Mrs. Helen Eckelberry are suggested per the wishes of the family.
Arrangements entrusted to Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.
