DATELINE: MOWEAQUA

Helen Willoughby Ellison, 96, of Moweaqua died May 17, 2015 peacefully at Joliet Hospice.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2015 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2015 also in Seitz Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oddfellows Cemetery, Moweaqua. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association or Fame Evangelical Church.

Helen was born October 24, 1918 in Macon, IL, the daughter of Ervil and Florence (Tomlinson) Willoughby. She married Kenneth Ellison in Westervelt, IL. August 14, 1936. He preceded her in death.

Helen graduated from Macon High School. She was a member of Fame Evangelical Church of Moweaqua and a long time bible study teacher. She had been a member of Homemakers Extension and a quilter.

Helen and Kenneth went to the World's Fair in Chicago in 1936 for their honeymoon. They farmed for many years. Helen later spent winters at Poinsettia Park in Fort Myers, FL, was a pianist for the fun band, a champion shuffleboard player and rode her 3-wheel bike at least twice a day. She was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed all ball games on television.

Surviving is her son Norman (Marilyn) Ellison of Homer Glen, IL; grandchildren: Sabrina Evans of Mount Vernon, IL, Leslie Schirmer of Sugar Grove, IL, Anthony Ellison of Peoria, IL, Michael Reiter of Round Lake Beach, IL, Donald Reiter of Sparta, MI and Todd Ward Ellison of Chicago, IL; eleven great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death is her husband of 61 years Kenneth; children, Katherine Reiter and Gary Ellison and brother, Muryl.

Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua has been entrusted with the care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com.