Helen Kurtz

Helen (Heck) Kurtz, 90, of DuBois, passed away at 6:25 a.m., Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Washington County Hospital in Nashville, Ill.

Helen was a homemaker and an avid quilter. She had quilted for many people. Before her retirement, she worked part time as a cook at St. Charles School and the DuBois Center. She was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church in DuBois and the Catholic Daughters.

She was born Feb. 17, 1923 at DuBois, Ill., the daughter of William E. and Sophie L. (Kreger) Heck.

She was first married to Henry Hoffman on Nov. 27, 1945. He passed away on April 15, 1948. She then married Kenneth Kurtz on Nov. 18, 1950 at DuBois, Ill. and they have shared 62 happily married years together.

She is survived by her husband of Du Bois, four children - Joyce Bauza and husband Clarence of Nashville, Donald Hoffman and wife Janice of Ashley, Janet Harris and husband Steven of Tamaroa and Deborah Kramm of Whittington, grandchildren - Kim Gill and husband Larry of Nashville, Kelly Bauza and wife Valerie of Nashville, Jeffrey Harris and wife Angie of Tamaroa, Carmen Coughlin and husband Cass of Chicago, Bill Harris and wife Amy of Tamaroa, Clinton Bauza and wife Stef of Nashville, Chad Hoffman and wife Julie of Kirkwood, Mo., Tiffany Kujawa and husband Jonathon of Tamaroa, Craig Hoffman and friend J.J. of Paducah, Ky., Christopher Bauza and wife Kasey of Ashley, Jennifer Whittington and husband Chris of Mt. Vernon, Traci Kramm and fiance Matt of Mt. Vernon, 20 great grandchildren with one more expected in August. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and the great grandchildren. They always put a smile on her face. She is also survived by sisters - Evelyn Kostecki of DuBois, Martha Rulevish of Tamaroa and one brother - Vernon Heck of Tamaroa. She has many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son - Ronald Kurtz, one granddaughter - Cassandra Hoffman, one brother - William P. Heck, three sisters - Frances Biesk, Virdell Deering and Hilda Wojtowicz.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 22, 2013 at the St. Charles Catholic Church in DuBois with Fr. Oliver Nwachukwu and Fr. Bernard C. Goedde, Jr. officiating.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the St. Charles Catholic Church in DuBois.

Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at the St. Charles Catholic Church in DuBois.

Burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery at DuBois.

Friends may make memorials to the St. Charles Catholic Church or St. Charles Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa is in charge of arrangements.

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