Helen Mille Demanes Kreighbaum age 90 of Peoria, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 3:34pm at OSF Medical Center surrounded by her four children and their spouses and three of six grandchildren. Helen was born on March 3, 1924, the daughter of Camiel Mille and Rosalie Galle Mille. Both parents immigrated from Aardenburg, Holland and settled in Atkinson, Illinois where Helen was born and raised.
She is survived by a sister, Elsie VanVooren (Royce); sister-in-law, Lois Demanes; daughter, Lynnette Demanes (Mike Fleming); son, Steven Demanes (Debbie Lampert); daughter Kim Demanes McSherry (Patrick); son Mark Demanes; two step-children, Vicki Schoedel (Alvin) and William Kreighbaum (Karen); six grandchildren, Derek Demanes (Shannon), Lauren Fleming, Eryn Fleming, Morgan Fleming, Kyle McSherry, and Cam McSherry; and, four step-grandchildren, Matt Schoedel (Alisha), Ben Schoedel, Andrew Kreighbaum, Annie Kreighbaum; and, two great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leroy S. Demanes (1979) and husband, Marlin Bruce Kreighbaum (2014), her brother Leonard and Joseph, and her sister Dorothy.
Helen first married Leroy S. Demanes June 25, 1950 in Kewanee, IL and they had their first daughter in March of 1951. Helen continued working and was employed at DeRoo Insurance Agency and then at the State Bank of Annawan. In 1953 the couple moved to Peoria, IL from Kewanee. They built their first home in 1956 and by 1964 they had three more children where Helen was a stay at home mom. The family enjoyed many trips to Florida, Helen’s favorite place to be during winter and spring breaks. She traveled often with her two younger children during the summers. She belonged to the Republican Women’s Club and several women’s bridge clubs. She also loved to play tennis. Helen always made a point to volunteer as class room mother for her younger children as well. Helen and Roy enjoyed 29 years of marriage until Roy’s passing in 1979, although Helen had not worked for years, she stepped into Roy’s shoes as President of Memorial Consultants and Morton Washington Broadcast Company until 1997 and 2003, respectively.
Helen later married Marlin Kreighbaum in October of 1982 in Peoria, at the age of 58. They enjoyed 32 years together before Marlin’s passing in June of 2014. They loved their winters in Florida until travel was too difficult for them to undertake. Helen and Marlin will always be remembered for their daily card games together. They never passed up a chance to play a round or two with friends. Helen enjoyed her Tuesday luncheon with her girlfriends along with several times a week going out to dinner with several couples. They also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe.
Following Marlin’s death June 19, 2014, Helen enjoyed what time she had left with her children and grandchildren. Eating Lunch together, going to dinners, exercise classes, and many other fun things. Helen will always be remembered by those who love her as a sweet, generous women with a classy style.
Visitation will be Friday February 27, 2015 from 5-7 p.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria Heights, IL.
Funeral Mass will be Saturday February 28, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Additional visitation will be held Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
Burial will be at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens in the Memorial Chapel, immediately following the services.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Peoria Children’s Home.
Please view Helen’s obituary online at www.woolsey-wilton.com
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