Helen W. Slifer

Helen W. Slifer

(August 14, 1943 – April 24, 2022)

Helen W. Slifer , 78, of Effingham, formerly of Mode, passed peacefully on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 4:26 a.m. in Heartland Senior Living, Neoga, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2022 in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Sigel, IL with Father Sunder Ery as Celebrant.    Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2022 in the church.  Burial will be in Hubbartt Cemetery, Beecher City, IL.  Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Grade School Building Fund in Sigel, IL or HSHS Hospice.

Helen was born the fifth child of Jacob Sr. and Lydia (Welsh) Cox, on August 14, 1943. She married Kenneth Slifer on January 7, 1967 and he preceded her in death on October 29, 2020. Helen worked at General Electric for nine years until the loss of her son, when she stayed home to raise her daughter. Later in life, she reviewed books for Writer’s Unlimited. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, in Sigel.  As a mother and grandmother, she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her three grandchildren. She could often be found with her nose in a book. She was dearly loved.

She is survived by her daughter, Lydia Funneman (Clarence Jr.) of Effingham, and three granddaughters: Megan, Allison, and Kaitlyn Funneman all of Effingham. She is also survived by her brother, David Cox (Nancy) of Charleston, and sister, Beth Haverstock of Charleston.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Slifer and son, Jacob Slifer. She is also preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jacob Cox, Jr. (Berdina); and sisters, Nancy Psik and Lydia Ann Shaffer (Gene).