Helen Joan Widner

Helen Joan (Chernosky) Widner of Helotes, Texas passed away at the age of 87 years on February 12, 2026. She was born in Houston, Texas on December 17, 1938, to Olien and Elfreide (Kloth) Chernosky. She grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Harlandale High School in 1956. She then began work as a clerk – typist for the civil service at Lackland AFB.

She married John Adolf Widner on December 14, 1957, in San Antonio, Texas at Trinity Lutheran Church. In 1966, they moved to Helotes where they raised their three sons and she was involved in the life of the community. She served in a variety of roles in the Helotes Area Volunteer Fire Department, including as board secretary, as a member (and secretary/treasurer) of the Ladies Auxiliary, and as a firefighter in the Ladies Brigade (which was the daytime firefighting crew when many of the men were at work and which was the first one in Bexar County), where she drove the tanker truck and brush truck. They were members of Zion Lutheran Church, where she was active in the ladies’ circles and in the life of the congregation. She returned to work in the civil service in the position of secretary at Brooks AFB in the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (working with flight nurses and flight surgeons, which were among her most cherished times) as well as in other departments. Her attention to detail, accuracy, consistency and persistence enabled her to advance to the position of secretary to the Vice-Commander.

Among her favorite sayings was “slow and steady wins the race”. Helen enjoyed reading, corresponding (with artistic penmanship) with friends and family and crocheting afghans, prayer shawls, hand towels and cross bookmarks. She was deeply interested in family genealogy and was known as the family historian. In 2007, John and Helen moved to Hermann Sons Retirement Home in Comfort, Texas where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery while making friendships. Helen continued to use her creative talents to support the student scholarship fund and worked on the Hermann Sons history 100-year anniversary project. They moved back to Helotes in 2020, returning to the home where so many memories were made.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, father and mother, father-in-law and mother-in-law, brother, Raymond Chernosky, sisters, Dorothy Shade and Joyce Cannon; among many other loved ones. She is survived by her son, Jeff and daughter-in-law Lisa of Bandera, Tx, son Bill and daughter-in-law Corinne of Stuart, Fl, and son Mike of Helotes, Tx; grandchildren, Stacy, Kirby, Jennifer, John, Will, Dana, and Violet and great grandsons, Carter and Kase; sister, Nancy Ralston, sister-in-law, Barbara Chernosky, in-laws, Cecil and Corrine Widner, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Pastor Kathi Inglis will preside at a memorial service on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00am at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1129 Pat Booker Rd., Universal City, Tx 78148 with a reception/meal to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will take place at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery on Monday, March 9th at 11am. For those unable to attend the memorial service, an informal gathering will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 5-7pm at the family home (contact one of the boys).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church. These donations can be sent directly to the church and envelopes will be available on the day of the service.