Helen Hartman

Helen Hartman, 85, of Loami, passed away at 2:50 a.m. on October 3, 2018 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village. Helen was born on May 29, 1933 in Auburn, the daughter of William and Elsie Southard Rouland. She married Gaylord "Ben" LaRue Hartman on August 4, 1952 in Detroit Lakes, MN; he preceded her in death on January 2, 1974. At the age of 8, Helen began working at Spaulding Orchard cutting asparagus to raise money for school clothes. She worked for the International Shoe Company and the Illinois Department of Public Aid before deciding to stay home and raise children. In 1974, she returned to work for the Illinois Department of Public Aid. Helen was a member of Loami Baptist Church for over 60 years and she and her husband were leaders of the Baptist Youth Fellowship in the 1960s. Helen also volunteered at the Loami Food Pantry and at her church. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, canning, garage sales, crocheting, spending time with family, cooking, attending the Loami Senior Coffee Hour, and playing the piano. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Frank Kelley, Sr; sister and brother-in-law, Donna and James Murphy; and half-brother, Frank Kelley, Jr. She is survived by two daughters, Kelley (husband, Ed) Gray of Loami and Kimberly Grubb of Bloomington; four grandchildren, Tyler Pendleton of Bloomington, Benjamin Gray of Loami, and Madilynn and Michael Grubb of Bloomington; one brother, Paul Rouland; half-sister, Debra Nowak; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral ceremony at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Brian Fox officiating on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Loami Baptist Church, 215 Church St., Loami. Burial will follow at Sulphur Springs Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimers Association, Greater IL Chapter, 2309 West White Oaks Dr., Suite E, Springfield, IL 62704.