Maxine Helmer

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Maxine Helmer, 86, of Du Quoin, passed away at 4:50 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Fair Acres Nursing Home at Du Quoin.

Maxine was a homemaker. She was of the Catholic faith and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of America and a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was born Dec. 27, 1924 at Sesser, Illinois, the daughter of Luther and Matilda (Galloway) Morris.

She married Peter Max Helmer on June 27, 1963 at Pinckneyville, Illinois.

She is survived by her husband of Du Quoin, three step-sons - Thomas Helmer and family, Daniel Helmer and family and John Helmer and family, all of Du Quoin, two stepdaughters - Nancy Sheehan and family of Du Quoin and Myrtle Williams and family of Du Quoin and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son - Cecil Everet Dorsey who died in the Vietnam War.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Fr. Nick Junker officiating.

Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2011 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Du Quoin.

The Rosary was prayed at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at the funeral home.

Friends may make memorials to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.