Helen Lilley

HELEN MARIE (RIPPEY) LILLEY, 94, of Champaign, IL passed away at 10:48 A.M. on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at Presence Covenant Medical Center in Urbana, IL.

Helen was born at home in Arthur, IL on December 22, 1919. She was the seventh child of Earl Edwin and Luella Mae (Heim) Rippey. She was raised and educated in the Arthur-Arcola area and graduated in 1938 from Arcola High School. She married Elbert L. Lilley on May 31, 1940 in St. Charles, MO. He passed away on December 24, 1984.

Helen was also preceded in death by her parents and nine siblings, Alberta, Earl, Emma, Albert, Edna, Harold and Donald Rippey, Marie Anderson and Louise Agre and a son-in-law, Robert Barnes.

Survivors include four children, Luella Barnes of Mattoon, IL, Raymond (Beverly) Lilley of Union, MS, Barbara (James) Kjer of Fresno, CA and Donna (Thomas) Napier of Champaign, IL; fourteen grandchildren, twenty four great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by one sister, Bessie Hannigan of Land ‘O Lake, FL; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Horn of Mattoon, IL; numerous nieces and nephews and her favorite great-grand-dog, Wrigley.

Helen alongside her husband, Elbert, farmed in Coles and Champaign County for over forty years. She was a talented seamstress, gardener, and had amazing baking abilities. Helen also enjoyed traveling throughout the US visiting family and friends.

Helen was a member of the Humboldt Christian Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola, IL. Graveside funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 13, 2014 in the Humboldt Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Catholic School, 410 West White Street, Champaign, IL 61820.