Helyn VanSickle Kobelin

Published 8:22 am Monday, December 31, 2018

November 18, 1928 – December 19, 2018

Helyn passed away December 19, 2018, shortly after suffering a stroke earlier in the month. Helyn started and ended her life in the place she loved most, Bend. From the family home near downtown, Helyn had the unique opportunity to walk to school every day from 1st grade until her graduation in 1946. Helyn was a student at St. Francis elementary school, Reid School and Bend High School. After high school graduation, she worked in the office of Dr. Peter Chernonkeff.Helyn met Don Kobelin shortly after he arrived in Bend in 1951. Don came to Bend after he served in WWII and completed his Forestry degree at Washington State University. As Don was working to start the new BLM office in Bend, he and Helyn met at a community dance, fell in love and were married for 62 years. Don passed away in 2016. Don’s career with the BLM took them to Boise, where all three children were born. In 1964, they moved to Roseburg where the three kids graduated from high school. After Don’s retirement and a few years of being ‘empty nesters,’ Don and Helyn returned to Bend in 1998.Helyn spent her entire married life as a homemaker and was actively involved in all aspects or raising her three children. For years, Helyn volunteered at various school programs and events, she was also active with women’s groups at First United Methodist Church.Helyn was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; daughter, Nancy Kobelin (Casey) Keller, and brother, George (Judy). She is survived by her sister, Joanne VanSickle; daughter, Donna Kobelin (Phil) Taylor; son, Michael (Carey); six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.Helyn will be laid to rest alongside many other family members at Pilot Butte Cemetery, December 27, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served at a Celebration of Life immediately following in the Community Hall at Snowberry Retirement Community, 1188 NE 27th. Helyn’s family wants to thank the medical staff at St. Charles Hospital and the exceptional team at Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these organizations.Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. 541-382-2471. Please visit the online registry for the family at www.niswonger-reynolds.com