Helen L Smithson
(April 23, 1922 – August 10, 2010)
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2010 in the United Methodist Church of Ellsworth, IL with Dave O’Neall officiating. Visitation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday in Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington. Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Bloomington, IL. Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church of Ellsworth, the Memorial Fund at McLean County Nursing Home or at the discretion of the family.
Mrs. Smithson was born on April 23, 1922 on the farm near Ellsworth, IL, the daughter of Ernest and Cora Lauritson Arrowsmith. She married James E. “Eddie” Smithson on August 23, 1939. He preceded her in death on April 9, 2009. Helen was very active in home extension throughout her years in Eureka and Shelbyville. She was a 4-H leader for many years and was a secretary and bookkeeper in Shelbyville and Decatur. She was a member of the American Business Women’s Association. Helen discovered her greatest passion during the years she demonstrated and sold Mary Kay Cosmetics. It was here that she shared her enjoyment for sales and her desire to encourage other women. She was a member of Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church of Vero Beach, FL and a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville, IL.
Surviving are her children, Judy Smithson (Bob) Boehle of Bloomington, IL, James A. (Cathy) Smithson of Forsyth, IL and Rodney E. (Carol) Smithson of Bloomington; sister, Louise Lukert of Bloomington, IL; brother-in-law, Delmar Winters of Sibley, IL; grandchildren, Katie (Dylan) Burch of Norfolk, VA, Erik ( Jesse) Smithson of San Francisco, CA, Anthony (Dr. Sarah) Smithson of Decatur, GA and Kimberly (Brett) Leskovisek of Champaign, IL; step-grandchildren, Dr. Kevin (Candy) Boehle of Highland Village, TX and Denise Boehle of Savannah, GA; great granddaughter, Emery Christine Burch of Norfolk, VA; and step-great grandsons, Andrew Engel of Savannah, GA and Tyler, Austin and Blake Boehle of Highland Village, TX.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eddie; and sister, Doris Ellen Winters.
She will be missed by all her friends and relatives. Special thanks to the caring staff of McLean County Nursing Home for their love and caring for six years and eleven months. The family deeply appreciates the support the staff provided.
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