Helen (Taylor) Alters

Feb. 15, 1943 - April 26, 2026

Helen (Taylor) Alters, 83, of Bellefonte, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026, lovingly surrounded by an abundance of her family to whom she devoted so much of her life in care and support.

In addition to family, Helen had a lifetime of community service and deep local roots. A devoted resident of Bellefonte her entire life, Helen was known for her unwavering commitment to preserving the history, strengthening the community and serving others with quiet generosity.

Born and raised in Bellefonte, Helen graduated from Bellefonte Area High School in 1961. Shortly thereafter, she began working in the office of her family’s business, Taylor’s Potato Chips.

In 1963, she married her beloved husband, Delbert Alters, who preceded her in death in 2009. Together they built a loving family, raising three daughters, Stacey, Karen and Susan.

Throughout the years, Helen became the proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, whose lives and activities brought her immense joy.

Helen was a lifelong member of Faith United Methodist Church. Always looking for opportunities to serve, she played an active role in countless church functions, including organizing volunteer efforts and helping prepare meals for community events such as funeral dinners, holiday meals and special gatherings.

Her passion for history and genealogy shaped many of her community contributions. Helen volunteered extensively with the Centre County Library and Historical Museum, assisting researchers in uncovering local history. She also served the Bellefonte Historical Society for over two decades, where she conducted research, organized archival materials and helped individuals trace their family histories.

Helen’s civic involvement was equally remarkable. She served as a Benner Township Supervisor from 1994 to 1999, where she was instrumental in the creation of the 25-acre Buffalo Run Community Park — an enduring legacy that continues to benefit the community. She remained actively involved in township events and initiatives, including the Fall Festival, Haunted Trail and Day of Caring.

A dedicated advocate for civic engagement, Helen worked at the Centre County election polls for more than 30 years, serving as a board member, Minority Inspector, and also as a fill in for Judge of Elections, in Benner Township. Additionally, she enjoyed contributing as a county appointment to the Centre County Airport Authority Board from 2001 to 2015.

Helen’s commitment to community organizations extended to the YMCA, where she volunteered for decades and served on the Bellefonte YMCA Board of Directors from 2005 to 2011. She played an active role in numerous fundraising events, including the annual auction, Polar Plunge and father-daughter dances. In recognition of her exceptional dedication, she was honored with the Bellefonte YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008.

A talented historian and author, Helen spearheaded the creation of the book “Benner Township: 150 Years of Families, Forging, Farming, Fishing and Flying” in 2003. She later authored “Picturesque Bellefonte, An Era of Changes” in 2008, generously donating all proceeds — over $30,000 — to the Bellefonte YMCA. At the time of her passing, she was continuing her research and writing for her forthcoming work, Rock to Rockview: Two Hundred Years of History.

Helen was also deeply involved in volunteer efforts at the Faith Centre and their local food bank, as well as national initiatives such as Toys for Tots. Her service touched countless lives, often behind the scenes but always with lasting impact.

As a proud Bellefonte Alumni, during the fall of 2012, Helen was honored to be named Grand Marshall for the Bellefonte Homecoming Parade. For the field ceremony, she was joined by three of her grandchildren who were current Bellefonte High School students.

A graduate of the Rural Urban Leadership (RULE) program in 1997 and Leadership Centre County in 1999, Helen believed strongly in empowering individuals to become effective community leaders. She lived that belief every day through her actions.

Ever an avid explorer, Helen had traveled extensively around the United States including Alaska, as well as trips abroad to Australia, New Zealand, France, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Canada.

Helen adored living along Spring Creek. In her personal time, she found joy in gardening, building rock walls and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her life was defined by devotion — to her family, her church, her community and its history — and she will be remembered for her tireless service, her passion for preserving the past and the lasting contributions she made to Bellefonte and beyond. Her legacy lives on both in the community she helped shape and in the family she loved beyond measure. She will be deeply missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Richard C. Taylor and Jean (Stover) Taylor; her sister, Susan (Taylor) Yanez; and her brother, William Taylor.

She is survived by her siblings, Richard “Dick” Taylor, Thomas Taylor and Mary (Taylor) Dearmitt; her daughters, Stacey (Alters) Ingram (Kenneth), Karen (Alters) Querns and Susan (Alters) Myers; her grandchildren, Jared Ingram (Jessica), Kendra (Ingram) Michna (Cory), Shane Ingram (Kaitlyn), Kaleb Ingram (Hannah), Megan (Querns) Ensor (Shane), Matthew Querns (Alonna), Madisen Querns, Samantha Myers, Emily Myers and Ryan Myers; and a nephew, Alex Taylor, whom she loved as her own after her beloved sister’s passing.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 6-8 p.m., at Faith United Methodist Church, 512 Hughes St., Bellefonte. An additional viewing will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10-11 a.m., at the church, with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m., with Pastor Andrew Morgan officiating. Burial services will immediately follow at Union Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.

Memorial donations can be made to Faith Centre Food Bank, 131 S. Allegheny St. Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com