Leona Gertrude (Gimbel) Helton, 93, of Taylorville formerly of Illiopolis IL, passed away March 5, 2013 at 9:40 a.m. at the Meadow Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Taylorville. She was born February 3, 1920 in Beardstown, IL, the daughter of Alpha Perry & Helen Lucille (Crabtree) Gimbel. She was raised by her aunt and uncle George and Rosa Gimbel after mother’s death. She attended Illiopolis Schools. She married Willard Helton on February 19, 1935 in Bloomington, IL. He preceded her in death on September 24, 2008. She was a housewife. She was a member or the Order of The Eastern Star, Kedron Chapter, and the Illiopolis Christian Church.

She is survived by her sons, Garth Helton of Mt. Pulaski, IL and Theron “Randy” (Alyse) Helton of Taylorville; daughter, Toni Drees of Taylorville, IL; grandchildren,Cheryl (husband Jimmie) Lee of Decatur, Byron (wife Doris) Helton of Mt. Pulaski, IL, Garth Helton Jr. of Qua Paw, OK., Mike (wife Donna) Helton of Qua Paw, OK, Corinne (husband Peter Joe) Herndon of Miami, OK, Tina (husband David) Rubino of Maplewood MO, Craig Drees of Beecher City, IL, Stacy (husband Bill) Barnes of Madison, IN, Lisa (husband Talon) Burton of Taylorville, IL, Eric (wife Shelly) Helton of Taylorville, IL, and Troy (wife Laura) Helton of Hillsboro, IL; 29 Great-Grandchildren and 18 Great Great-Grandchildren; fourteen nieces and nephews and three cousins. She was preceded by her parents, husband, sister, aunt, uncle, daughter-in-law, grandson, and nephew. .Memorials may be made to the Donor’s Choice.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Sutton Memorial Home, Taylorville, IL. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9 2013, at the Sutton Memorial Home, Taylorville, IL with Rev. Jim Wolfe officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Illiopolis, IL.. Arrangements by Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville, IL.

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