Helen C. Davsko

Helen C. Davsko, 92, of Springfield, died at 10:55 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2013 at Concordia Village. Helen was born November 25, 1920 in Springfield, the daughter of John and Louise Draksler Verbais. She married John "Leo" Davsko on November 8, 1941 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield. He preceded her in death on June 26, 1998. Helen attended Converse Grade School. Helen and her husband helped in the creation of Fairview Park on the north end of Springfield in the early 1950's. She was a housewife and mother until her children finished high school, at which time she went to work at Jewel-Osco for 15 years. Helen later worked in the Foster Grandparent Program at Vachel Lindsay Elementary School assisting in the kindergarten and 2nd grade classrooms. Helen's greatest joys in life were being a foster grandparent, ballroom dancing with her husband, playing cards, and spending time with her great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Louise Egger, John Verbais, Jr., and Henry Verbais; and one son, John Davsko, Jr. She is survived by two sons, Lance (wife, Marilyn) Davsko and Larry (wife, Rita) Davsko, all of Springfield; one daughter-in-law, Sue Davsko of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Lauren (husband, Dave) Niepert, Bryan (wife, Trisha) Schneller, Jarrod (wife, Heather) Davsko, Melissa (husband, Matt) Beck, Andrea (husband, Aaron) Lynch, Adam Davsko (significant other, Kam-Yin Pang), and Justin (wife, Briana) Davsko; and eleven great-grandchildren, Emily, Hudson and Davis Schneller, Chloe and Dalton Davsko, Madelyn and Carter Beck, Ella, Griffin and Mallory Lynch, and John Davsko. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Memorial Ceremony: 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, with Rev. Msgr. John R. Ossola officiating, assisted by Sr. M. Gael Daley, O.P. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home. Private family burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. In honor of Helen's son, John, donations made to the ALS Association would be greatly appreciated. Please go to http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/SaintLouis?team_id=242662&pg=team&fr_id=8961 in order to donate and/or join the Johnny's Walkers team.