Helen Lucille Butterfield

Born December 23, 1925 in Pekin to Elmer C. and Marie (Boettcher) Sisler, she married Laurence Elmer Butterfield on March 12, 1946 in Lewiston. He died October 20, 1999 in Pekin. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one son, Calvin F. Butterfield. He died serving in the United States Marine Corps on May 31, 1968 in Vietnam. She was also preceded in death by two-step-sons, Jack Butterfield and Dean Butterfield and one brother-in-law, Lee Katz.

Surviving are her longtime friends and caregivers of many, many years Robert “Junior” and Sharon Beetschen of Pekin; one grandchild, Nichole (Matt) Traver of Manito; two great-grandchildren, Megan (Nicholas Peplow) Traver of Manito and Drew (Emma) Stout of Manito; one sister, Geraldine Katz of Fairbury, Nebraska; one niece, Julie Katz of Fairbury, Nebraska and two nephews, James (Shirley) Katz of Jansen, Nebraska and Lyle (Tammy) Katz of Steele City, Nebraska. She also leaves behind her dear friend, Barb Williams.

Helen worked for American Distilling Company on the bottling line for 35 years retiring in May of 1980. She then worked for Midwest Grain for an additional eight years retiring in 1989.

Helen was a Gold Star Mother of American Legion William Schaefer Post 44 in Pekin. The title Gold Star Mother is a distinction given to the mothers whose sons or daughters died in war.

In her free time she enjoyed working in her yard, sewing; reading and solving word searches. The past several years she especially loved playing bingo at John Evans. She loved attending family gatherings with her chosen family.

Helen was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Pekin.

Helen's family would like to express a sincere thank you to all of the staff at John Evans Supportive Living for the wonderful care she received the past eight years.

Her Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 15, 2023 at Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.

Visitation will be 10 to 10:45 Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorials may be made to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. 2128 Leroy Place, NW Washington, DC 20008.