Longtime Helper Resident Gloria Lorraine Bianchini Skerl Passes Away at 97

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Gloria Lorraine Bianchini Skerl, a lifelong resident of Helper, Utah, passed away peacefully at her home on February 15, 2026 at the age of 97. Bianchini Skerl was a devoted parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for 80 years, and was an active member of the local Slovenian community. She is survived by her four children and grandchildren.

Why it matters

Bianchini Skerl's passing marks the end of an era in Helper, a small Utah town that has seen significant changes over the decades. As a longtime resident, community leader, and dedicated parishioner, Bianchini Skerl embodied the town's history and values, making her death a significant loss for the local community.

The details

Gloria Lorraine Bianchini Skerl was born in Helper, Utah in 1928 to Enrico and Adeline Seppi Bianchini. After her father passed away when she was 5, her mother remarried Louis Bolognesi, giving Bianchini Skerl a sister, Della. In 1949, Bianchini Skerl married her dancing partner, John M. Skerl, and they were together for 68 years until his death in 2017. Bianchini Skerl worked as an administrative assistant at various local schools for 29 years, and was an active member of the Helper Dinner Dance, the Slovenian Home, and the 1946 Class of Carbon High reunions.

• Bianchini Skerl was born on September 2, 1928 in Helper, Utah.
• She married John M. Skerl on June 19, 1949.
• Bianchini Skerl passed away peacefully at her home on February 15, 2026 at the age of 97.

What’s next

Services for Gloria Lorraine Bianchini Skerl are pending and will be announced by Mitchell Funeral Home.