Helen Elizabeth Smeak, 84, of Taneytown, MD died peacefully on Monday, February 6, 2017 at Carroll Hospice Dove House in Westminster.  Born April 27, 1932 in Libertytown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Maude (Mort) Schildt.  She was the wife of the late David L. Smeak, Sr., to whom she was married for 58 years.

            Helen was employed for many years as a seamstress at Claire Frock in Thurmont and Westminster Knit in Westminster.  She was a member of Messiah United Methodist Church in Taneytown, and was a former member of the Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion Hesson Snider Post 120 Ladies Auxiliary.  She enjoyed cooking, growing flowers, traveling, dancing, attending country music shows, and spending time with her family.

            Surviving are son, David Leroy Smeak, Jr. and wife Nina of Littlestown, PA;  daughters, Brenda Hyman of Taneytown, and Debra Bankert and husband Jeffrey of Mt. Airy, MD; brothers, Wayne Schildt and wife Jan of Hazelton, MO, and Edward Schildt of Frederick; sister-in-law, Shirley Schildt of Tampa, FL; 7 grandchildren, Kelly Stitely of Taneytown, Kristy Porter of Monroeville, PA, Kevin Smeak of Littlestown, PA, Noah Hyman of Owings Mills, MD, Eli Hyman of Marblehead, MA, and Brandon and Nathan Bankert, of Mt. Airy, MD; 6 great-grandchildren, Chloe and Claire Stitely, Jonathan and Sarah Porter, and Dylan and Abbey Smeak; and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by brothers, James and Raymond Schildt, and son-in-law, Joel Hyman.

            A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017 at MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD, with the Rev. Patricia C. Dols officiating.  Interment will follow at Keysville Union Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

            Memorial contributions may be made to Messiah United Methodist Church, 25 Middle St., Taneytown, MD, 21787, or to Carroll Hospice Dove House, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD, 21157. 

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