Helen E. LaBonte

Helen E. LaBonte, 98, of Springfield, died at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2007 at Memorial Medical Center. Helen was born on July 27, 1909 in Kankakee, the daughter of Michael J. and Margaret Rose Quigley Sullivan. She married Louis J. LaBonte, Sr.; he preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers. She was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and the Association of the Miraculous Medal. She retired in 1947 as private secretary to Adjutant General Leo Boyle of the State of Illinois. She instilled music in the lives of her children through her enjoyment of playing the piano, violin and ukelele. She enjoyed having a good time, loved to dance, and was the kind of person you would want as a friend. She is survived by two sons: Mike J. (wife, Ann) LaBonte of Springfield and Louis J. (wife, Kathy) LaBonte, Jr. of Palm Springs, CA; one daughter, Mary Susan “Suzie” (husband, Mike) Jones of Petersburg; eight grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother, Joe (wife, Helen) Sullivan of Springfield; two sisters: Frances Eimer and Margaret Sheehan both of Springfield; two sisters-in-law: Margaret and Virginia Sullivan and several nieces and nephews. The family welcomes friends to visit from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 5, 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave. Springfield with Rev. Robert Jallas celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.