Helen Kezele, 88
Born: Jan. 10, 1924
Died: Sept. 18, 2012

Helen M. Kezele, 88, of Dowagiac, passed away Tuesday Sept. 18, 2012, at the Timbers of Cass County.

Helen’s life began in Dowagiac on Jan. 10, 1924, the daughter of Walter and Bernice (Rybinski) Olejniczak. She was a 1942 graduate of Dowagiac Central High School.  Helen was united in marriage to Edward Kezele at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac on Oct. 20, 1956. The couple lived for many years in Chicago, where Helen was an executive with J. Walter Thompson Advertising agency. She was a parishioner at Holy Maternity of Mary, and as a young woman, she worked for the draft board in Dowagiac during World War II as well.

Her loving family includes her husband, Edward, of Chicago; nieces and nephews, Patricia Patano, of Dowagiac, Nancy Patano, of St. Charles, Ill., Mary Chiappinelli, of Georgia, Vt., Joan Vos, of West Hills, Calif., Patricia Kaman, of Northville, Carrol Cencer, of Troy, Kathleen Parnin, of Dallas, Marilynne Mikulich, of Dearborn, Daniel, James and George Oliver, all of Garden City; her sister, Gladys Patano, of Woodland Hills, Calif.; and several great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ted Olejniczak; and sister, Irene Brosnan-Weibel.

Her family will gather with friends on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, where the Rosary prayer will begin at 4 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, Dowagiac, by Father Kevin Covert.

Helen will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed Quest Youth Ministry at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Helen at www.yazel-clark.com.