Helen Cohen, age 84, of Lake Mary, Fla., passed away on Jan. 29. Helen was born in New York, Feb. 22, 1939, the first child of Dr. Harry and Rosalie Einhorn. Helen grew up in Dayton and graduated from Fairview High School, later attending Indiana University. She had several jobs over the years, but her passion was performing with Sweet Adelines Gem City Chapter, of which she was a member for over 35 years, and volunteering at Hospice of Dayton. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Bob. She is survived by her children, Steve, Marlee (Lee Cutler) and Michael (Joanna); grandchildren, Jordan, Miles, Rayna and Dara; and siblings, Larry (Claudette) and Bobbi (Jim Jennison). The family requests donations made in Helen’s memory to The Jewish Pavilion in Orlando.

Louis Levin of Centerville; Lou was born in Columbus on Oct. 16, 1925 to Morris and Molly (Winter) Levin. He died peacefully on Feb. 5 at Kettering Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his father, Morris Levin; mother, Molly Levin; brothers, David Levin, Samuel Levin, and Allen Levin; and sister, Mardelle Friedberg. He is survived by his only child, Ryan Levin (Alison); nephews, Howard Michaels, Gary Friedberg, Robert Levin, and Michael Levin (Pam); nieces, Danielle Young, Diane Brun (Hal) and Elaine Smith (Steve). In addition, he is survived by his life partner, Sara Litwin, and her family. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Karen Levin, numerous great nieces and great nephews, and many other relatives and friends. In their later years, Lou, Al, and Sara became snowbirds. They took great delight in spending time on the east coast of Florida either in Boca Raton or Palm Beach Gardens. All the relatives living up north have fond memories of visiting them and having a fantastic time. Lou was one of the owners of Levin Service Company along with his brothers, Sam and Al. They built many of the entertainment venues that Daytonians have enjoyed through the years. They were originally in the beer and wine carryout business, but expanded into the drive-in theater business in the late 1940s. They built the Sherwood Twin Drive-in Theater, Dixie Drive-in, the Captain Kidd Drive-in, along with many others throughout Ohio and in Chicago. Their crown jewel was the Kon-Tiki Theater on Salem Avenue. They also built the Rhino Restaurant in Downtown Dayton. They purchased Caesar’s Creek Flea Market in the early 1980s and built Treasure Aisles Market. After Sam Levin passed away, his monies were used to endow the Levin Family Foundation. Lou was extremely proud to take on the role of philanthropist in his later years. He was a trustee of the foundation and actively involved in the distribution of funds up to the time he passed away. He was very pleased that he could have a positive impact upon the lives of so many people here in Dayton and abroad. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. The family is requesting that any donations be made to the Dayton Foodbank in Lou’s memory. We would like to thank Danny Reveal for being a caregiver and friend to Lou. The family deeply appreciates the staff at the Rehabilitation Center at Bethany Lutheran Village and the care that was given to Lou during his illness. Finally, a special thank you to the hospital staff who took care of Lou during this very difficult time. Lou and his twin brother, Al, spent their entire lives together. They were each other’s best friend. When people would ask about their being twins, they referred to themselves as “womb mates.” They served together at Okinawa in the Army from 1944 to 1946, surviving being strafed by the Japanese on the first day that they arrived on the island. Throughout all their 98 years, they maintained that intense identical twin connection. It was a bond that transcends all others. When his brother Al passed away on Dec. 23, 2023, Lou was devastated. The greatest solace for the family is that Lou and Al are together again.

To read the complete March 2024 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.