Obituary for Helen M. Oneil
Helen M. O’Neil, the county’s first woman bank cashier, died Tuesday afternoon at 3 in the Hassler Nursing Center, Cumru Township, where she had resided for eight years.
O’Neil, 83, formerly of 146 Noble St., Kutztown, retired in January 1966 after a 47-year banking career with the former Farmers Bank of Kutztown, now Hamilton Bank.
She was the widow of George D. O’Neil, who died in 1965.
Beginning Nov. 4, 1918, as a bank teller, she was named assistant bank cashier in 1959 and became head cashier in 1962.
According to O’Neil, her duties included most anything, even talking Pennsylvania Dutch to some of her older customers so they could understand her better.
She was the last of the original staff which started at the bank. Prior to her cashier duties, she was primarily a note teller.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late George and Jennie (Heilman) Rhode.
She was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Kutztown.
Surviving are two sisters: Dorothy C., widow of Wirt C. Wiltrout, Kutztown R.D. 4, and Arline R., widow of James M. Fenstermacher, Kutztown.
Also a brother, Lewis P. Rhode, Kutztown, and several nieces and nephews.
The Trexler-Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements.
O’Neil, 83, formerly of 146 Noble St., Kutztown, retired in January 1966 after a 47-year banking career with the former Farmers Bank of Kutztown, now Hamilton Bank.
She was the widow of George D. O’Neil, who died in 1965.
Beginning Nov. 4, 1918, as a bank teller, she was named assistant bank cashier in 1959 and became head cashier in 1962.
According to O’Neil, her duties included most anything, even talking Pennsylvania Dutch to some of her older customers so they could understand her better.
She was the last of the original staff which started at the bank. Prior to her cashier duties, she was primarily a note teller.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late George and Jennie (Heilman) Rhode.
She was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Kutztown.
Surviving are two sisters: Dorothy C., widow of Wirt C. Wiltrout, Kutztown R.D. 4, and Arline R., widow of James M. Fenstermacher, Kutztown.
Also a brother, Lewis P. Rhode, Kutztown, and several nieces and nephews.
The Trexler-Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements.