Helen Cherkis

December 5, 2011

Helen Franchak Cherkis, 93, of Wilkes-Barre Township, entered into Eternal Life on December 5, 2011. Her husband, Walter S. Cherkis, of 31 years, passed away in December 14, 1972. Born in Rhone, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Julia Laca Franchak. She was educated in the Hanover Township Area Public School System. She was employed for 30 years in the Eberhard-Faber Manufacturing Co., Mountain Top. She was a faithful and dedicated member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Hanover section of Nanticoke. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Mary Rusinko and Anna Rishkofski; her brothers, John, Andrew, Michael and Stephen. Surviving are her daughters, Doreen Cherkis, with whom she lived and her granddaughter, Christina; her daughter Sonja Kay and husband Thomas, and their daughter, Leanne Harrison, and granddaughter, Anya; her sister, Julia Rishkofski; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 8:45a.m. from the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home, 136 Maffett St., Plains, with a Divine Liturgy with Requiem Services at 9:30 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 106 Welles St., Hanover section of Nanticoke, with the Rev. Adam Sexton, Pastor and Very Rev David Shewczyk officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today. Parastas service will be at 6:30 p.m. Her family asks that flowers be omitted.