Elaine Helton

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Ron Newman and Rev. Jim Hubner officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Gideon’s International.

Elaine was born on March 7, 1932 near Yantisville, IL, the daughter of Ronald Earl and Hazel Agnes Wortman Cole. She graduated with high honors from Findlay High School in the Class of 1950. She was employed by Shelby Loan & Trust for many years, was the bookkeeper for the utility company- CIPS, and then attended a school in California and owned and operated the Merle Norman Shop in Shelbyville. She married Carl Helton on January 25, 1953. They enjoyed several hobbies such as raising birds and traveling to many areas where her husband was a judge of cockatiels. Elaine was raised in church and she and her husband helped in the starting of several churches, including New Life Community Church in Pana, IL where she attended. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and youth groups, and helped with finances. Elaine enjoyed sewing and handwork.

She is survived by her son, Steven Helton and wife Beverly of Orange, TX; brother, Jake Cole and wife Carol of Shelbyville; several nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl on February 14, 2012; daughter, Lisa Anne Helton; and brother, C.R. “Richard” Cole of Decatur, IL.