Helen C. Katerman

Helen C. (Dykty) Katerman, 91, of Shillington, PA died peacefully, in her sleep, on Saturday, November 15, 2014. Her son, Andrew C. (Chuck) Katerman, Jr. was at her bedside, at the time of her repose.

Helen was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Andrew C. Katerman, Sr. They were married on July 28, 1956. He reposed on February 24, 1993. Helen and Andrew were both active members of Saint John the Baptist de la Salle Roman Catholic Church in Shillington.

Helen was born at home, on February 13, 1923, in Reading, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Lottie (Godziejewski) Dykty, deceased August 24, 1980, and Stanley Dykty, deceased May 28, 1950.

Helen worked at Bick's Hosiery Factory on South 13th Street in Reading, and later at Parrish Corporation in Reading, Pennsylvania. After her marriage to Andrew in 1956, she became a stay at home mom and spent hundreds of hours doing charity work for various volunteer organizations. She served in multiple leadership positions in the Women's Club of Shillington, including president from 1976 through 1978. As president Helen was responsible for originating the Mifflin Library in 1976, and she was a charter member of the Board of Directors for the Mifflin Library. Helen was also a member of the Catholic Woman's Club and multiple bridge clubs. Helen enjoyed playing bridge and would play up to 5 days a week!

Helen was an active board member of the Saint Joe's Auxiliary, of Saint Joseph's Medical Center (SJMC), Reading Pennsylvania since 1960. Additionally, she was a member of the Reading Hospital Auxiliary in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Helen volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels in Reading throughout the early 1970"s. She was instrumental in expanding the Meals on Wheels service into the Shillington area, in 1978. She continued delivering Meals on Wheels in Shillington through 2008.

In May of 1980, Helen was elected to the position of Republican Committeewoman for Shillington, Pennsylvania. Her son, Andrew, wrote her in for the position, and she was elected without her knowledge, but she gladly served, and truly enjoyed serving, in the political office. She later ran for other political offices.

Helen is survived by her only sibling, her brother, Stanley J. Dykty, and his wife Mary Ester (Miller) Dykty of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Helen's three surviving children are Patricia Ann (Siekierka) Milton, of Silver Spring, Maryland, Andrew Charles (Chuck) Katerman, Jr. and his wife J. Sophia (Kellachow) Katerman of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Kathy Mary Katerman, Pembroke Pines, Florida. Helen has eight surviving grandchildren Douglas Martin Milton II, Suzanne Page Milton, Matthew David Milton. Andrew Charles Katerman III, Ellen Renee Katerman, Mary Theresa Katerman, Kathryn Mary Kellachow, and Vladimer Kellachow III. Helen also has 5 great grand children Trent Patrick Milton, Tori Christine Milton, Andrew Charles Katerman IV, Samuel Henry Katerman, and Austin Francis Katerman and a great granddaughter that she was looking forward to meeting in March 2015.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in St John Baptist de la Salle R.C. Church, 42 Kerrick Road, Shillington. A viewing will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Entombment will be in Gethsemane Mausoleum, Laureldale. In honor of Helen, please dress in her favorite color, purple for the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen's name to the Mifflin Community Library, 6 Philadelphia Ave, Shillington, PA 19607. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.