Flora Maxine Helton – Christopher, IL

Flora Maxine Helton, 89, of Christopher, passed away on August 20, 2020 at her home.

Maxine “Nan” was born on July 5, 1931 to Almus and Mary Kirkpatrick.

Maxine met her future husband while working in a café in uptown Christopher. James was a driller for the mines working in this area. He came in the café and she waited on him. They dated for three months when he asked her to marry him. They married March 27, 1948. And that was the beginning of a 56 year marriage and a lifetime of family and friends. Maxine loved her family and it showed through her actions. The family moved back here in 1967 so they could take care of her mother. And that snowballed into not only taking care of her own family but her siblings, grandkids, neighbors and friends. She always wanted everyone to be taken care of and fed, even to the last weeks telling everyone to have some food and drink and to be careful on their way home. Maxine’s years were filled with service and love. Rest “Nan”. You’re finally to your eternal home. We will see you soon.

She is survived by her daughter Linda (Douglas) Wuellner of Springfield; one son Mike (Kathy) Helton of Christopher; daughter-in-law Priscilla Helton of Christopher; grandchildren Brian Wuellner, Jeremy (Christy) Wuellner, Rachel (Bryan) Galloway and Ronnie Tochtrop; great grandchildren Austin Wuellner, Rebecka (Chase) Chastain, Jaylynne Wuellner, Madilyn Helton and Chloe Galloway; one special nephew Tom Calloni of Buckner and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband James E. Helton, one son James E. Helton Jr., one grandson Matthew Helton and ten brothers and sisters Ezra, Paul, Roy, Grace, Dorothy, Millie, Lloyd, Marie, Earl and Dale, and one special nephew Charles Calloni.

Funeral services for Maxine will be on Tuesday August 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Pastor Greg Shelton officiating. Visitation will be on Monday August 24, 2020 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Valier.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com