Jones

Helen Rebecca Hartzell Jones, 94, of Shreveport, La., formerly of Slippery Rock and Oil City, passed away at Christus Schumpert Highland Hospital, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, on Feb. 18, following a five-month struggle with strokes and the onset of pneumonia and sepsis.

Born in Slippery Rock, on Aug. 28, 1917, she was the daughter of Herbert A Hartzell and Rotha Mae Kelly Hartzell of Meadow Grove Farm outside of Slippery Rock.

She married Ralph E. Jones of Pittsburgh, who preceded her in death on April 15, 1996.

She received her undergraduate degrees from Slippery Rock Normal College, now Slippery Rock University, with a dual major in French and English. She then earned her Master of Education degree in elementary education, also at Slippery Rock. She began her teaching career at Penn Township, where she taught all subjects. Later, she earned a special certification in physical education and taught at South Side Junior High School. She also was specially certified as a special reading teacher in Oil City High School with the Oil City Public School District for about 15 years before her retirement about 1978.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Oil City, and in her later years she belonged to the Holiday Park United Methodist Church in the Plum Borough area.

Her hobbies included family activities, working crossword puzzles, all kinds of needlework, dancing and traveling.

Her survivors include a son, Gary E. Jones and Dolores “Dee” Jones of Shreveport, La.; a daughter, Karen J. Hanks and Charles L. Hanks, originally from Butler, who live in Harrison City, Pa.; her grandchildren, Chris and Tracy Hanks, Jeff and Laura Hanks, Tim and Michele Hanks and Robert and Karla Ishee; and seven great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are Helen's brothers, Duane W. Hartzell and Leah Studebaker Hartzell of Slippery Rock and Herbert F. Hartzell and Eleanor “Cotty” Cottrell Hartzell of Shrewsbury, N.J.; and her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph.

<B>JONES</B> — Interment for Helen Rebecca Hartzell Jones, who passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, will be private in Slippery Rock Cemetery.The family will gather in the spring for a public service in Slippery Rock. Arrangements will be announced in the Butler Eagle by the <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.