Evelyn Helton's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Evelyn L. Helton, age 96 of Charleston, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 26, 2017 at 3:30 a.m., at Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehab. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Services honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at the funeral chapel with Pastor Tom Skinner officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Cemetery, Charleston. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in her honor be made to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, the American Heart Association, or to a charity of the donor's preference. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or services or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Evelyn was born July 27, 1920, in Jasper County, Illinois, the daughter of the late Charles and Isabel (Davis) Kibler. She married Arthur E. Helton (deceased 1972) on October 31, 1936 and had five boys and two girls. Sons: Bill (deceased) (Kay Harmon) Helton of Charleston, Jack (Donna Crail) Helton of Charleston, Dr. Victor (Doris Weaver) Helton of Naperville, Charles David Helton (deceased), and Richard (Karel Babb) Helton of Charleston. Daughters: Diana (Thomas) Lindley of Los Angeles, and Brenda (Rick - deceased) Walters of Charleston. She had 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren in her loving family. Two sisters preceded her in death, Lavisa (John) Kelly of Helper, Utah, and Cleda (Clifford) Replogle of Charleston, as well as a grandson, David Helton, and a great-great-granddaughter, Gwendolyn Lawson. Evelyn was a long time member of North Side Baptist Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir and supervising functions in the Fellowship Hall kitchen. In addition to raising her growing family, she began her working career in Holland's Greenhouse, and then worked as a cook, becoming the cafeteria supervisor in the Charleston School District. She retired from Eastern Illinois University as the pastry chef. The students knew when she was working because they could smell her rolls all over the dorm. She was proud of cooking for the St. Louis Cardinals NFL football team when they practiced at EIU. Evelyn volunteered at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Guild, for RSVP programs, and was a board member of the Rebekahs. She enjoyed quilting with her mother Isabel and sister Cleda, making each of her children custom quilts, and was an excellent seamstress. Evelyn was very supportive of all her children's 4-H programs and projects, from livestock to sewing and cooking. She lived through the depression, so she had a large garden and orchard, and canned and preserved her bounty for many years. An avid Cub fan, she was delighted when the Cubs won the World Series. In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling, ceramics, jigsaw puzzles, being a part of bell choirs, and spending time with her large extended family.Click to view Family Memorial Video. SERVICES Visitation Saturday, April 29, 2017 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Funeral Service Sunday, April 30, 2017 2:00 PM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920
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