Helen L Adkins

Born October 21, 1924 in Peoria to Samuel Benjamin and Gladys Marian (Davidson) Funk, she married Harold LaVerne Adkins on August 10, 1947 at Howett Street Christian Church in Peoria. He died June 20, 1996. She was also preceded in death by her parents; step-mother, Etta Funk; and two sisters, Ruth Boyd and Dorothy Rogers; and one brother, Fred Funk.

Surviving are one daughter, Connie Rae (Jim Michaelson) McAvoy-Michaelson of North Pekin; one son, Mark Douglas Adkins of Stroud, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Charlie Adkins and Melissa Adkins, both of Cuba; four sisters, Etta Martis of Pekin, Sophie (Jerry) Agatucci and Jeanette Street, both of Peoria, and Janette Farkus of Joliet; two brothers, Samuel Funk, Jr. of Marston Mills, Massachusetts and James Funk, Sr. of St. Petersburg, Florida,

She was a graduate of Manuel Training High School and Browns Business College.

Helen worked at Hunt’s Drive-in from 1940 to 1942, Boss Glove Factory from 1942 to 1945, and Caterpillar Tractor Company from 1945 to 1948. She left Caterpillar to raise her family and be a homemaker. She later worked at Peoria Tent and Awning Company.

She was an election judge for over 50 years and was serving as secretary/treasurer of the IBEW Retirees Club Local 34 in Peoria.

She was a member of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Creve Coeur. She was a former member and primary Sunday school teacher at Howett Street Christian Church in Peoria and a former member of United Disciples Christian Church in West Peoria. She was a vacation bible school teacher in Peoria and Creve Coeur.

She was a former treasurer of the UAW Senior Center Auto Club, former secretary of the UAW Senior Center Community Club, had been active with PTA while her children were attending school in Creve Coeur. Helen was a Girl Scout Assistant from 1956 to 1960 and also was a Cub Scout leader for two years. She was a member of the Winnebago Motor Coach Club and YWCA.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2012 at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Creve Coeur. The Rev. Dwight Winnett will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, October 1, 2012 at Springdale Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 604 Groveland Street, Creve Coeur, IL 61610.

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