Helen Louise Spears

Helen Louise Spears, 84 of Stronghurst, Illinois died at 12:25 p.m. Thursday June 14, 2012 in the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab Center in Stronghurst. She was born August 16, 1927 in Reutlingen, Germany, the daughter of Carl and Elisabeth Schempp Wahl. On July 24, 1955, she married John Hobart Spears in Naperville, Illinois. He preceded her in death on January 7, 2009.

Mrs. Spears was a graduate of North Central College in Naperville. She had taught in Roseville, Illinois and later taught reading in the Stronghurst School district. She had also worked for the Henderson County Home Extension Service. She was an active member of the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church, where she was a trustee, deacon, member of the Session and the United Presbyterian Women.

Survivors include three daughters- Susan (Robert) Scheer of LeClaire, Iowa, Janet (Mark) Brewer of Tucson, AZ., Joanne (Kevin) Swanson of Lawrenceville, GA., two sons- Tim Spears of Chicago, IL., Tom Spears of Washington, IA., one foster son- Derek Brewer of Milwaukee, WI., nineteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, one sister- Margaret Vogel of Pleasant Hill, TN., and her brother in law and sister in law- Bill and Carol Spears of Vale, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother- John Wahl and one sister- Gertrude Palm.

Visitation will be Sunday June 24, 2012 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Richard Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery near Media, IL. Memorials have been established for the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church and Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. .