Helene M Chichak

Funeral services will be 10 AM Saturday at St. James Catholic Church for Helene M. Chichak of 6505 Market St who passed away Monday afternoon at Beeghly Oaks Nursing Home. She was born November 17, 1916 in Youngstown a daughter of Gustus and Elizabeth (Wilhelm) Wootpulos. She was a graduate of Chaney High School in 1935. She then continued through the years to receive her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kent State University. She retired in 1979 from the Youngstown City School system after 37 years as an educator. Her first job was teaching in a one room school house in Columbiana County. She continued her teaching career in the Girard city schools and moved to the Youngstown school system in 1965 teaching children of special needs at The Rayen School. At the time of her retirement Mrs. Chichak was special education Coordinator for the Youngstown City School system. Mrs. Chichak was well known in the Arabian Horse show circuit, and showed registered Welsh Ponies and Draft Ponies both as a breeder and an exhibitor in the Mahoning County, and Columbiana County Fairs for over 30 years. During this time, Valley Meadows, her farm, was a recipient of many championships, including ASHA zone champions with her Arabian stallion Khaptor. Mrs. Chichak was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Catholic Collegiate Association, Mignionette Garden Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Socirty International, Beta Pi Chatper, Youngstown Symphony Guild, American Horse Show Association, The Arabian Horse Registry of America, International Arabian Horse Association, Arabian Horse Association of Ohio, Kentucky Arabian Horse Association, Inter-County Horseman’s Association, Penn-Ohio Horseman’s Association, The Welsh Pony Society, The Buckeye Horse Park of which she was a founding member. She is survived by nieces Arlene (Nicholas) Ivan of Boardman, Angela (Steven) Fine of Perrysburgh, Ohio, nephew Joseph L. (Roberta) Smith of Campobello, SC, a sister Angela Buttar of Poland. She is preceded in death by her first husband Lt. Carl Tisone who was missing in action during WWII in 1943, second husband Elwood Ressler who passed away in 1960, her third husband John Chichak, whom she married Jan 25, 1963, passed away in 1994; her sister Alice Smith and a nephew Felix Buttar. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Friday at Lane Funeral Home Canfield Chapel.