Wednesday, August 5, 2009  It is with deepest sympathy Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Department 7, acknowledges the passing of Life Member C. Joceen Griggs. Joceen gave tirelessly of herself to both the Fire Department and to Conneaut Lake Area Ambulance Service. Throughout her years of service she touched the lives of so many people. We are sure she will receive her rewards in heaven. Our deepest sympathy to her husband Jim, children and families. As was stated:

 

“We have lost a Life Member but she will be in our hearts forever”  

Rest in Peace Our Sister and May God Bless

 

Following is Joceen’s obituary as printed in the Meadville tribune.

 

— CONNEAUT LAKE — C. Joceen Griggs, 54, of 820 High St., Conneaut Lake, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, at her residence.
Born March 6, 1945, in Indiana, Pa., she was a daughter of Joseph James and Florence (Sally) Good James. She married James Griggs on Aug. 9, 1969.
She was a life member of the Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and Conneaut Lake Ambulance Service. She was co-founder of Conneaut Lake Ambulance Service, where she was an emergency medical technician for 35 years, an office manager, treasurer and was on the board of directors.
She previously had worked at Ralph Beuchet Insurance Agency and Carl Pease Insurance Company, both of Meadville.
She was a member of High Street Community Church and was treasurer for the church.
She faithfully supported Conneaut Lake High School athletics and band.
She is survived by her beloved husband of almost 40 years; two sons, David Griggs of Gaithersburg Md., and Richard Griggs and his wife, Michelle, of Charlotte N.C.; an exchange student whom she considered a son, Pablo Garza and his wife, Blanca, of Monterrey, Mexico; three grandchildren, Andrew (Drew) Griggs, and Pablo and Andres Garza; her mother, Sally James of Meadville; a brother, Robert James of Brandon, Miss.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph James.
The memorial service will be at High Street Community Church, 9517 Route 322, Conneaut Lake, at 3 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. David Meckley officiating.
Joceen’s final wishes were for memorial contributions to be made to the Joceen Griggs memorial fund at National City Bank, 210 Water St., Conneaut Lake, Pa. 16316. Memorials will be used for a future church picnic pavilion.
Arrangements are being handled by Dickson Funeral Home, 130 N. Second St., Conneaut Lake.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009  It is with deepest sympathy Department 7 acknowledges the passing of our brother firefighter Bob Helch from the Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Department, Department 5. At his passing, Bob was President of the Auxiliary at Department 5. Bob gave of himself above and beyond the call anytime the alarm sounded. You could always count on Bob being at the call no matter how hot, cold or nasty, anytime of the day or night passing out coffee, hot chocolate or beverage and somehow hoagies, and the favorite, donuts. How he came up with hoagies in the early morning calls was his secret. We at Department 7 will surely miss Bob. He was there for us as he was for his own department and he knew no boundaries. He was there for his fellow firefighters whenever and wherever needed. To Bob’s wife Linda and his family, our deepest sympathy. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER
 
Attached is Bob’s obituary as printed in the Meadville Tribune.
CONNEAUT LAKE — Robert J. Helch Jr., 61, of Conneaut Lake, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh following a lengthy cancer illness.

He was born in Pittsburgh on Dec. 26, 1947, a son of the late Robert J. and Elaine R. Reiner Helch Sr. He married Linda Bodnar on Feb. 27, 1971.

A U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War serving from 1968 to 1970, Bob was employed at Witco Chemical Corp., Petrolia, for 25 years. He and Linda were also owners and operators of the Oasis Nightclub, Conneaut Lake from 1981 to 1986. He was a very active member of Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 and Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Department Station 5. He served as president of the Station 5 auxiliary and was very dedicated to assisting firefighters at the scene of a call with food and beverages. Bob enjoyed horses, trains, volunteering at the Meadville Livestock Auction, helping anyone in need by putting others before himself, and especially his time spent with his grandchildren.

He was a member of Our Lady Queen of the Americas Roman Catholic Church, Conneaut Lake.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Linda, of 38 years, include a son, Robert J. Helch III and his wife, Tara, of Meadville; a daughter, Susan Stright and her husband, William, of Hartstown; five grandchildren, Blake, Breann, Baeli, Luke and Brendon; two brothers, Richard Helch of East Brady and Gary Helch and his wife, Sue, of Pittsburgh; two sisters, Elaine Shelatz and her husband, Roger, of Conneaut Lake, and Sally Helch and her husband, Lenny Helbling, of New Wilmington; his mother-in-law, Dolores Bodnar of Bruin; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, David Helch.

Calling hours are today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake, with a Scripture Prayer service Wednesday at 8:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Americas Church, 155 S. Ninth St., Conneaut Lake with Fr. Steve Anderson as celebrant.

Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of the Americas Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, Pa. 16335 or Conneaut Lake Park Volunteer Fire Department Station 5, for the children’s Christmas fund, 11965 State Hwy. 618, Conneaut Lake, Pa. 16316