Helen Goettman Clear, 97, of New Sewickley Twp., passed away on Thursday November 11, 2021 in Passavant Retirement Community. She served for many years as the Historian for the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church and was honored by the Historical Society of the United Methodist Church during their online annual meeting on Oct. 31.
Born in Rochester, PA on November 22, 1923 the daughter of the late Ivan and Ada Goettman, she was preceded in death by her husband George Clyde Clear,
her son John Clear; sisters Evelen Brewer and Alice Mae Favro, and brother Arthur Goettman.
She is survived by her two children: Kenneth (Cheryl) Clear, Lignum, VA and Linda (Geary) Rupp, Carbondale, PA; daughter-in-law Robin Clear, New Sewickley Twp.; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Helen was a loving mother, grandmother and proud great grandma. Foremost she was a teacher. She was a world traveler and included every generation of the family. She loved sharing her knowledge from travel, bible study, history and much more with everyone. She was a historian and genealogist with a mind few could match.
Helen graduated from Rochester High School, Geneva College and received her Master's from Westminster College. She taught in Midland, Freedom, Western Beaver and the Beaver County Christian School.
As a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Rochester she was a scholar and teacher. She was recently presented the Ministry of Memory Award by the Historical Society of the United Methodist Church for her service. She was a member of the DAR, as well as a vital figure in the preservation of Beaver County history and genealogy. Helen touched many lives and we will treasure our memories.
Friends were to be received on Sunday, Nov. 14 from Noon until 4pm in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Rochester, where a funeral service will be held on Monday at 11am. Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rochester Area Heritage Society, 350 Adams St., Rochester PA 15074 or to the Beaver County Genealogy and History Center, 250 East End Ave., Beaver PA 15009 (beavercountyhistory.org ).