Helen M Elder

Helen Mildred Elder, 92, died January 4, 2022, in Youngstown, Ohio. Helen was born September 25, 1929, in Cleveland, Ohio, and was the daughter of Lillian Einhorn Polis and Abraham Polis. 

Helen attended Glenville High in Cleveland, Ohio, and excelled in bookkeeping. Following graduation, Helen worked as a bookkeeper for various businesses. In 1954, Helen met her first husband, Samuel Kranitz, during a dance at the JCC in Cleveland, Ohio. After dating for two weekends in a row, the two were married in Cumberland, MD and settled in the greater Youngstown community. The couple was married for 32 years. Following an early death of her husband, Samuel, Helen married her second husband Dale Elder. The two were married for 17 years; until Dale’s passing in 2007.

Helen’s eldest son, Robert, was born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1959 and her second son, James, was born in 1965. During their younger years, Helen raised her sons during the day and worked at the Sky High Drive-In movie theater in the evenings. 

During her lifetime, Helen volunteered as a Candy- Striper and was an active volunteer for Help Hotline. Helen was an avid reader and was a fixture at the local library. She was in home health care for over 20 years and worked as an instructor Weight Limited. She also enjoyed traveling, with a notably trip across the country with her husband, Dale.

She enjoyed cooking and kept an impeccable home.  She was an avid cookbook collector and loved adult coloring books- even before they became popular. Helen had two cats, Tabby and Callie.

Helen was a member of Congregation Rodef Sholom for more than 60 years.
 
She was preceded in death by her beloved husbands Samuel Kranitz and Dale Elder, and her sister Dorothy Singer. She is survived by her sons, Robert (Bob) Kranitz of Youngstown, Ohio. and James (Jim) Kranitz of Brooklyn, New York. She is also survived by her beloved nephew, Marvin Singer, of Cleveland, Ohio, and her brother-in-law, Eugene Singer also of Cleveland, Ohio.

A burial service took place on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at the Congregation Rodef Sholom cemetery.

To honor Helen’s memory, donations may be made to Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom (formerly Congregation Rodef Sholom), 1119 Elm Street, Youngstown, OH 44505.

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