Helen McMillen

Helen Holtz Wile McMillen, 92, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in Erie, PA after living a very blessed and fulfilling life.She was born on April 5, 1926 in Oil City to Maximillian "Max" and Elizabeth (Netzler) Holtz. After graduating high school and attending business school, Helen was employed as a Secretary for Penelec from 1943 to 1946 and then as a Nurses Aide/Medical Records Technician for Venango Manor from 1965 until her retirement in 1982.Helen married Paul Leroy Wile on November 28, 1946; he preceded her in death on November 6, 1973. She later married Orville McMillen; who also preceded her in death in 1990.Helen had a passion for life and never gave less than 100% effort in her day to day activities. She was a member of the Sugarcreek United Methodist Church, where she played the piano and was a Sunday School teacher. She was also a Girl Scout Leader; a mentor at the Franklin High School; the Judge of Election for Sugarcreek Borough; a volunteer at the Sugarcreek Station Store; and she was an excellent cook and baker, most notably winning the County Blue Ribbon for her Dutch Apple Pie.Most of all, however, Helen was a good and humble servant of the Lord. She gave her all into everything that she did and was always willing to reach out to help others. She was a hard worker, both in her work and in her personal life. Helen was also a loving mother and wife, and she cherished her family, especially her grandchildren.Helen is survived by her daughter, Diane E. Woodie of Waterford; her grandchildren, Shawn D. and Ryan P. Woodie, and Ashley E. Wile; her great-grandchildren, Caleb and Ethan Zajac-Woodie, and Hannah and Vance Wile; and her sister, Dorothy Maurer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.In addition to her parents and both husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, Paul J. Wile; her 3 sisters, Maxine Barnhart, Virginia Flinchbaugh, and Joanne Hailey; her infant brother; several brothers-in-law; and her nephew, Charles Flinchbaugh.Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA. Funeral services for Helen will be held following visitation on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc. at 12 pm, with Reverend Karen Kostur, Pastor of the Sugarcreek United Methodist Church, officiating.Interment will be held at Franklin Cemetery.Memorial contributions can be made in Helen's name to the Sarah Reed Senior Living, 227 W 22nd Street, Erie, PA 16502; and/ or to the Sugarcreek United Methodist Church, 443 Sugarcreek Drive, Franklin, PA 16323.To send flowers, cards, online condolences, or for more information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.