Helen Ruth Bly, 96, of Seneca, departed for Heaven on Monday, September 4, 2017, surrounded by loving family, to be greeted by her Lord and welcomed by the loved ones who have gone before her.  Her unwavering faith in God and her devotion to prayer made her a light and comfort to all who knew her.  Helen had a servant heart and a fervent desire for others to know Jesus.  She was a Christian example of grace and mercy. 

          She was born in Knox on September 27, 1920 to the late Harley William and Sarah Snively Dodd. 

          She was a graduate of Franklin High School. 

          Mrs. Bly was an active member of the Free Methodist Church of Oil City. 

          Helen enjoyed taking walks, reading her Bible, and spending time with her family, especially grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. 

          Mrs. Bly worked in the Oil City Treasurer's office for many years. 

          She was married in Brookville on October 25, 1938 to John F. Bly, and he preceded her in death  on June 10, 1981. 

          Surviving are three children:  Margaret Arlene Ehrhart of Seneca, Donna Lee Robinson of Mebane, North Carolina, and John “Fred” Bly, Jr. and his wife Lori of Oil City; a son-in-law, Ed Sharp of Mississippi; eight grandchildren: Richard Ehrhart, Jr. and his wife Chris, David Carson and his wife Nicki, Angela Carson, Ed Sharp, Jr. and his wife Beverly, Karen Wenner and her husband Bob, Joshua Robinson and his wife Ginger, Lisa Swartz and her husband David, and Sarah Bly.  Numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren also survive, as well as a nephew, Kenneth Dodd. 

          In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Freda Carson and Shirley Jean Sharp; a son-in-law, Albert Carson; a grandson, Albert Carson, Jr.; and her brother, Leroy Dodd. 

          Friends and family will be received Wednesday (Sept. 6th) from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. 

          A funeral service will be held Thursday (Sept. 7th) at 11 a.m. in the Free Methodist Church of Oil City, 206 Wilson Ave.  Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 10 a.m.  The funeral service will be officiated by Pastors Ed and Sharon Shreffler. 

          Interment will follow in Rockland Cemetery in Kennerdell. 

          Memorial contributions may be made to the Free Methodist Church, 206 Wilson Ave., Oil City, PA  16301; or Pleasantville Church Camp, c/o Cindy Mong, 348 Sawtown Rd., Oil City, PA  16301.

          To express condolences to the family online, please visit www.hilebest.com 

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