Helen DeVore

Helen E. DeVore, age 96, of 418 Washington, died January 25, 2012, at  4:45 pm in Sunset Home.

Helen was born May 16, 1915 in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Edith Sharlock Koshinski. On May 24, 1945 she married Walter Otto Gross.  He died March 16,1974.  She married Lofton DeVore December 5, 1987 and moved to Jenson Beach Florida, returning to live in Decatur in 2007.  He died December 30, 2008. Helen moved to The Haven in Sunset Home on her 96th birthday to be closer to her daughter and family.

Helen was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and attended the Lutheran Grade School and Stephen Decatur High School.  She worked at A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, several garment factories, various ladies shops, and also for her son at Service Master in Decatur.  She was an excellent seamstress, and also enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and counted cross stitch.  In her younger years she loved roller skating and bowling.

Survivors include her daughter, Donna (Allen) Wickman of Quincy, IL; a daughter-in-law, Linda  Gross of Decatur, IL, grandchildren, Angela Fox of Quincy,  Lori (Jim) Beyer of Williamsport, Indiana, Kristi (Jeff) Archer of Decatur, IL; great grandchildren, Madison and Morgan Fox  and Alexander Wayne, all of Quincy,  Madeline and Meghan Beyer of Williamsport, Indiana, and Maranda and Christian Archer of Decatur, IL; a stepson, Eric (Carolyn) DeVore, Decatur, IL;  step grandsons Adrian (Denise) DeVore of Round Rock, Texas Christopher (Leah) DeVore of Minneapolis, Mn, , 4 step great grandchildren Laton and Maggie DeVore of Minneapolis, MN amd Adan and Adanna of Round Rock, TX.

Helen was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Walter “Bud” Gross, a grandson, Matthew Wayne; two  brothers, Carl and Ed Koshinski, and a sister, Elsie Koshinski.

Graveside Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00 am Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Lutheran Cemetery, Decatur, IL, with Rev. Al Wickman officiating.

Memorials:  St.John’s Lutheran Church, Decatur, IL

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.