Helen Louise Hancock

Born November 2, 1940 in Pekin to John Lewis and Margaret Edith (Grant) Kessler, she married Thomas Robert Hancock, Sr. on October 31, 1959 in Pekin. He died June 15, 2023 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren; two brothers and one sister.

Surviving are three sons, Thomas (Karen) Hancock, Jr. of Pekin, Randy (Trina) Hancock of East Peoria and John Hancock of Peoria; two daughters, Teresa (Lynn) Runyon and Heather (Mike) Foster, both of Pekin; twelve grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Helen was a longtime certified nurse’s aide, last working at Beechwood Health Care in Pekin. She also was a crossing guard for the school district and after that always a babysitter in her own home.

She was devoted to her family and loved spending time with them. She will be remembered as a special lady who always left you sharing “Bless your little heart.” She loved doing yardwork and especially watching hummingbirds at her feeders.

She attended Pekin First Church of the Nazarene.

Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, November 22, 2024 at Pekin First Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Brian Eatock will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at the church. Burial will be in Green Valley Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Pekin 1101 Veerman Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554 or to Pekin First Church of the Nazarene, 3514 Broadway, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com