She was born October 21, 1932 in Philadelphia the daughter of the late Frank and Helen (Wajda) Bonikowski.

Helen received her bachelor's degree from Temple University where she met her husband Lou. She taught for many years at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia and later retired from Littlestown High School.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son Douglas James of Mechanicsburg, daughter Sherry Yingling and husband Greg of Gettysburg, son Randy James and wife Linda of Lansdale, daughter Karen Smith and husband Damon of York Springs and daughter Nancy Newman and husband Shawn of Orrtanna, grandchildren Lindsey and Danielle James, Alexander Yingling, Valerie, Kirsten and Diana James, Dillon and Emma Smith and Christopher and Tyler Newman, sisters Mary Anthony, Wanda Smith and brother Dr. Frank Bonikowski.

She was preceded in death by her son Ronald T. James and her sister Frances Bonikowski.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 11AM at the Peters Funeral Home, 321 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg with Rev. Kenneth R.W. Reid officiating. A time to share memories and an opportunity to view will be on Wednesday from 10 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Biglerville Cemetery, Biglerville.

To share memories of Helen James please click on "sign guest book" above.

A memorial video celebrating Helen James 's life can be viewed by clicking the link below, then click the photo to play the tribute video. (Special Note: If you have firewall protection installed on your computer, it may need to be disabled in order to play the tribute. Macintosh systems need Windows to use the tribute viewer).

Helen Jane (Bonikowski) James memorial video