Bio-Turner, LydiaHeltebran

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Elizabeth Ann "Lydia"
(Turner) Heltebran
(1877-1951)

LElizabeth Ann "Lydia" (Turner) Heltebran was born in 1877 in Fayette County, PA, the daughter of George Washington and Mary Frances (White) Turner.

Lydia married Samuel Heltebran (1872-1911), the son of Jacob and Delila (Rhodes) Heltebran of Westmoreland County, PA. Leyda and Samuel had three children -- Clarence Thomas Helterbran, George Dewey Helterbran and Earl J. Helterbran.

They resided in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County circa 1896, and she later belonged to the First Methodist Church of Charleroi.

Sadly, Samuel passed away in Charleroi, Washington County, of unknown causes at the age of 39 in 1911. Burial was in Hoffman Cemetery in Smithton, Westmoreland County.

Lydia died at the age of 74 on April 18, 1951 in the Monessen Hospital. A newspaper reported that she was survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

~ Son Clarence Thomas Helterbran Sr. ~

Son Clarence Thomas Helterbran Sr. (1896-1978) married twice, first to Ruth (divorced 1929) and second to Beulah Jane Williams (1915-1978), the daughter of Isaac N. and Elizabeth (Wilburn) Williams of Mill Run, Fayette County, PA.

Clarence and Beulah had four children -- Clarence Jr., Thomas (?), Georgette and Thelma Mae. They also took in a niece, Earlene Helterbran.

Clarence worked at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel in Allenport, PA until retirement. Despite having a "crippled right foot," he was a veteran of World War I, serving in Company D of the 17th Cavalry, and received a Purple Heart for wounds. During the Great Depression, he was employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) of the federal government, and was a laborer on the work crew that reconstructed historic Fort Necessity. He also was a member of the Charleroi Fishing Club. Beulah belonged to the Hiller Free Methodist Church.

Sadly, Beulah and her sister in law Frances (Sechez) Heltebran died one day apart. The viewings for both were held at the same funeral home, with Beulah in one room and Frances in the other.

Clarence Sr. died in Charleroi-Monessen Hospital in 1978, with burial at Monongahela Cemetery. At his death, a newspaper reported that he was survived by 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

~ Son George Dewey Helterbran Sr. ~

Son George Dewey Helterbran (1898-1983) married Sylvia Joseph of Ohiopyle. They had several children.

George was employed early in his adult life by Imperial Glass Company of Charleroi. He was a veteran of World War I.

He later resided in Phoenix, Maricipa County, AZ, where he died in April 1983.

~ Son Earl J. Helterbran Sr. ~

Son Earl J. Helterbran (1899-1970) married Frances Sechez, a native of Belgium. They had no children, and lived at 817 Rear Washington Avenue in Charleroi. Earl was employed by Allenport plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel. Frances belonged to the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Charleroi. He died at the age of 70 in February 1970, with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery near Monongahela. She outlived him by some years and died at the age of 76.