Helen Virginia Prentice

Helen Virginia Prentice, 78, of Springfield, died at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at her residence. Helen was born on May 4, 1928 in Peru, IL, the daughter of Carl and Dorothy Bangs Pletsch. She married Robert Prentice on September 2, 1950 in Tonica, IL. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign in 1950 with a B.S. in Bacteriology and Chemistry. She worked as a microbiologist in Chicago until she started a family. Helen joined the community of Springfield in 1965. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield and an associate member of Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples, FL. She was also a Circle Leader at church. Her volunteer work included Meals on Wheels, Daily Bread, teacher’s aide, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scouts leader and Cub Scouts den mother. She was also active in AAUW and was the past President of the Women’s Medical Auxiliary. Helen enjoyed playing golf, playing the piano, working crossword puzzles and she also loved to read. She was preceded in death by one grandson: Christopher Lee Palmer in 1981. She is survived by her husband Dr. Robert Prentice of Springfield; one son: Dr. Robert (wife, Mary) Prentice of Palo Heights; three daughters: Susan (husband, Scott) Palmer of Springfield, Debra (husband, Joe) Gripp of Girard and Nancy (husband, Leroy) Steves of Camarillo, CA; ten grandchildren: Ryan Prentice, Laura Prentice, Sarah Prentice, Michael Palmer, Jeffrey Palmer, Chad Palmer, Jessica Gripp, Craig Gripp, Claire Gripp and Benjamin Steves and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, with Rev. John Standard and Rev. Mark Merrill officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Lung Association of Illinois, 3000 Kelly Lane, Springfield, IL 62707. The family of Helen Virginia Prentice is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.