She was born May 23, 1931 in Pekin to John and Emma (Lindstrom) Helms. She married John R. Garing on July 31, 1949 in Pekin and he preceded her in death on December 16, 2009.
Also preceding in death were her parents; brother, Ralph Helms; and sister, Mary Leonard.
Surviving are her daughters, Deborah (Daniel) Evans of Palos Hills, IL and Georgia (Thomas) Abert of Madera, CA; five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and her sister, Helen Noel of South Pekin.
She had attended the First United Methodist Church in Pekin.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Davison-Fulton Woolsey Funeral Home in Pekin with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Jack Thompson will officiate. Burial will follow at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.
Memorials are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice.