Helen M. Sonnega's Obituary
Mrs. Helen M. Sonnega, age 88, died Sunday, March 15, 2015 in Muskegon. She was born August 28, 1926 in Scottville, MI to Alex and Mabel (Lyst) Andersen; and has resided most of her life in the Muskegon area. Helen was a 1944 graduate of Muskegon High School and a 1948 graduate of Central Michigan University. On July 15, 1950 she married Paul R. Sonnega and he preceded her in death on May 12, 2001, after celebrating 50 years of marriage. Helen had been a teacher prior to raising her sons; she later became a secretary for Holcomb Court Reporting Service. She was a longtime member of Central United Methodist Church. Helen enjoyed basket making, bird and animal watching, visiting with friends and family, attending reunions with Paul's WWII Army buddies and the Gas House Gang, METLIFE veterans, her widow's group, the Beachwood Homeowner's Association and her church's women's group. SURVIVORS include her two sons, Steven (Becky, deceased) Sonnega of Martinsville, IN and Jeffrey Sonnega of Kapolei, HI; 2 grandchildren, Tyler Sonnega of West Lafayette, IN and Shelby Sonnega of Evansville, IN; one sister, Dorothy Walasek of Ocala,FL; her sisters-in-law, Marie Johnson of Spring Lake, MI, Phyllis Sonnega of Cincinnati, OH and Elizabeth Sonnega of Plymouth, MI; and by several nieces and nephews and their children. Besides her husband, Paul; Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Alex R. Andersen and her sister, Virginia R. Johnson. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held 11:00 AM Friday, March 20, 2015 at Central United Methodist Church (1011 2nd St., Muskegon, MI 49440) with the Rev. Mark D. Miller officiating. VISITATION with Helen's family will be one-hour prior to her service. Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, Muskegon, MI. For those wishing to make a contribution, you are asked to consider Central UMC or the Lakeshore Lung Association (www.lung.org/donation). You are also invited to sign the family's Online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com. Helen's family would like to thank the caregivers of Hackley and Mercy Hospitals and of Sanctuary at McAuley Place for their love, compassion and assistance. Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49441
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