Rosemary Helm

Rosemary Helm, age 71 years, a resident of rural Grantsburg, Illinois (the Benton community), passed away Wednesday morning, August 10, 2016, at 9:10 AM at her home. Rosemary was born September 23, 1944 in Metropolis, Illinois. She was the second of five children born to Ernest L. and Mary (Rose) Burnett. On June 3, 1962, Rosemary was united in marriage to Lowell L. Helm at the Benton community church. He survives. In addition to her husband, Rosemary is survived by: her daughters – Debra Helm of the Benton community and Sara (her husband, Sam) Goddard of Tunnel Hill; 6 grandchildren – Tanner Reed, Lakin Reed, Allie Reed, Chase Helm, Alexis Goddard and Jessica Goddard; a brother – John (his wife, Cecilia) Burnett of Bardwell, KY, a sister – Linda (her husband, Larry) Slone of Cypress, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Bob Murley of Grantsburg, Floyd (his wife, Bessie) Helm, Clifford (his wife, Wanda) Helm all of Metropolis, Pearl (her husband, Leonard) Finke of Paducah, Vera McGinnis of Washington, IL, David (his wife, Sharon) Helm of the New Columbia community and Wayne (his wife, Kay) Helm of Metropolis; her faithful canine companion, Daisy, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, Rosemary was preceded in death by: 2 sisters – Judy Murley and Joellen Newberry; a nephew – Chad Newberry; 4 sisters-in-law – Sylvia Cooper, Wanda Burnett. Betty Jean Helm, and Judy Helm; and 4 brothers-in-law – Terry Burnam, Ray Cooper, Frank Eugene Helm and Lindell McGinnis. Rosemary was a 1961 graduate of Vienna High School and had also attended Draughon’s Business College in Paducah. Rosemary was employed for a time as an office assistant at I.K.T. in Metropolis. On November 15, 1965, Rosemary was employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Vienna Correctional Center. She held the positions of Clerk Stenographer I, II, III, and Clerk IV, Account Tech I and was then promoted to Business Manager II, the position she held until her retirement in 1995. Rosemary enjoyed socializing monthly with the V.C.C. retiree’s group. She had also enjoyed volunteering with hospice. Rosemary was an avid reader, enjoyed working crossword puzzles and watching the many hummingbirds in her yard and at her feeders. She was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinal’s Baseball team. Rosemary and Lowell also had enjoyed traveling and participating in group bus tour trips. Rosemary was a lifelong and faithful member of the Benton Community Church. She was a devoted Bible student. Rosemary was also a gifted musician. She had served as church pianist and also played the accordion. A graveside service honoring the life of Rosemary Helm will be conducted Sunday afternoon, August 14, 2016, at 3 PM at the Metropolis Memorial Gardens, 2824 North Avenue, Metropolis, IL 62960. Rosemary’s Brother-in-Law and Nephew, Bob Murley and Brian Murley, will officiate. Those attending the service are asked to gather at approximately 2:45 PM Sunday at the cemetery. There will be no public visitation. Memorials may be made to the Heather Harper Treat Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 98, Vienna, Illinois 62995 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Rosemary Helm

September 23, 1944 - August 10, 2016