Lester H. Helsel, 81, Lowell Avenue, Altoona, died Wednesday at Altoona Regional.
He was born in Washington, D.C., son of the late Lester R. Helsel and Marie (Griffith) Helsel Kelly. He married Leila "Dee" Holland on July 2, 1950, in Lakemont.
Surviving are his wife; three daughters: Diana Wallace of Duncansville, Terri Dunham of Waverly, Ohio, and Leslie Conzo (Scott) of Ashville; six grandchildren: Melissa Cooper (John), David Dunham (Krista), Craig Wallace, Patrick Dunham (Meredith), Joshua Conzo and Ashley Conzo; three great-grandchildren: Mia, Zane and Brooke; two siblings: Kenneth (Ruth) of Baden and Janet Broskin (Jack) of New Sewickley; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Nicole Dunham; and two sons-in-law: Ralph Wallace Jr. and Russell Dunham.
Lester was a graduate of the Altoona Bible Institute and retired in 1996 from Signature Door Co., Altoona. He was a member of the Buckhorn Bible Church and enjoyed reading, camping and bowling.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at Buckhorn Bible Church, the Rev. Carl Wolfe officiating. Committal will be at Blair Memorial Park, Altoona.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Buckhorn Bible Church in Lester's memory.
