Obituaries
February 3, 2020

Helen E. Cleri Yencsik – Lynnwood, Belle Vernon

By obits

Helen E. Cleri Yencsik
Lynnwood, Belle Vernon
Helen E. Cleri Yencsik, 96, of Lynnwood, Belle Vernon, died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, at 7:31 a.m., in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 30, 1923, in Newell, a daughter of the late Thomas Cleri Sr. and Mary Martha Buntz Cleri. Helen was a 1941 graduate of Brownsville High School and 1944 graduate of the Brownsville General Hospital School of Nursing. She was a WW II Navy Veteran, having served 16 months as an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps. She was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she dedicated her life to family. On Jan. 21, 1947, she married Andrew J. Yencsik, who preceded her in death on Sept. 13, 2003. Surviving are her eight children and 17 grandchildren; Ronald A. Yencsik and wife Karen of Emlenton, and children Laura and Peter Yencsik; Kathryn J. Baldauf and her husband David of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., and children Dr. Jennifer Swanson (John) Freeman and Gregory Swanson; Edward M. Yencsik of Lynnwood; David T. Yencsik and wife Robyn of Washington, Pa., and their children David and Carleigh; Robert A. Yencsik of Pittsburgh and his son Robert (Courtney); Diane E. Hepple and husband Mike of Belle Vernon, and their daughter Megan (Chris) McCormick; Linda Hines and husband Kent of Hermitage and their children Katie (Chad) Folsom, Ashley (Dan) Tonini, Christopher; Mary A. Gauden of Belle Vernon and her children, Jesse (Aubree), Emily (Brenton) Tokay, Katie, Molly, Max; and nine great-grandchildren, Collin and Sophia Freeman, Abigail Yencsik, Alexis, Rylee, Kasey McCormick, Grayson, Luke, and Wes Folsom and two more on the way. Also surviving are her sister, Betty Battaglia of California, Pa.; and brother, Thomas Cleri of Uniontown; and several nieces and nephews. Also deceased in addition to her parents and husband are a grandson, Michael A. Hepple; sisters, Margaret Danna, Minnie Mathison; and brothers, Thomas Cleri Jr. and Robert Cleri. “Good Night, God Bless You, See you Tomorrow”. Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS LLC, family owned and operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-6183. Prayers of Transfer will be held at 9:15 a.m, in the funeral home, followed by funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Michael Crookston as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery with honors accorded with U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the Rosary for the departed soul of Helen Yencsik at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the funeral home. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

McKeesport firefighters rescue cat stuck in tree
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
December 17, 2025
It’s not known if the animal has an owner. Rescuing cats out of trees is something usually seen on TV shows, but it became a real-life scenario Tuesday when McKeesport firefighters had to do just that...
Elizabeth Borough wastewater system sale official
Latest News, Main
December 17, 2025
Pennsylvania American Water has finalized the purchase, completing the process that began nearly three years ago. For the MVI Pennsylvania American Water announced Tuesday it has completed the acquisi...
Monessen firefighters collect toys for kids
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
December 17, 2025
A fire truck was filled with donations that will be distributed by the Monessen Family Center. Monessen’s volunteer fire departments held their annual toy drive Tuesday night to provide Christmas gift...
North Belle Vernon approves budget with no tax increase
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 17, 2025
There’s a slight surplus in the 2026 spending plan. North Belle Vernon council adopted its 2026 budget Tuesday, holding the borough’s tax rate steady at 29 mills and continuing a 3-mill fire tax for N...
Commissioners plan to strip hotel tax revenue from county tourism to build convention center
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
WASHINGTON COUNTY
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 17, 2025
Jeff Kotula of the county’s Tourism Promotion Agency warns that the move would be a violation of state law. Washington County commissioners are weighing changes to the county’s hotel tax ordinance tha...
Rep. Davanzo honors lifesavers
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
December 17, 2025
State Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-Smithton, recently presented citations to Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Jamie Pergola and Smithton Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Marty Pon...