Helen J. Shillito

Helen Jeanette, nee Holst, Shillito, 81, Glen Carbon, Ill. passed away at her home on Friday, August 26, 2016, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was born on a farm near Millstadt, Ill., on January 4, 1935, post depression time and she developed a natural love for rural living which included a love for all types of gardening especially flowers, vegetables and mowing grass. Along with her husband of 60 years Jim, enjoyed the rural fresh air and freedom.

A love for learning was always a part of her quest as she attended a one room School in Collinsville,Ill (grades 1-5) then moved to Granite City and graduated Valedictorian (8th grade) at Stallings School. In high school she also wanted to do her academic best and beside doing well in basics she also found a joy in vocal music and arts finishing 3rd in her class. While in elementary and secondary school she was a member of the National Honor Society and had very good teachers who modeled their joy in teaching and Helen wanted to do that too. Instead of going straight off to college she began a job at Martha Manning Dress Factory in Collinsville, Ill., and later became a teller at Granite City Trust and Savings Bank. In doing so she saved money for college and eventually graduated from SIUC with honors. She also obtained with honors a Masters of Education Degree from U of I and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi.

She then began teaching elementary school in E. St. Louis from 1958-1966. Following this she and Jim built their home in rural glen Carbon and she began teaching elementary school in the Collinsville School District. Most of her years teaching grades 3rd through 6th were spent at State Park, Kreitner and then Lincoln-Renfro. She retired in 1998 with 40 years of teaching.

Being active in her church with her parents and siblings she accepted Jesus as her savior in her early years and serving him continued to be a major focus for her. Before Jim graduated from Midwest Bible Institute he accepted a student pastorate in Millersburg, Ill so she had experience as a preachers wife for one year. Otherwise she, Jim, their two daughters were active at Edgemont Bible Church and her childhood church Bethel Community Church. She was a choir member, pianist , Sunday School teacher and youth leader

After moving from E. St. Louis she and her family became active at Collinsville first Baptist Church. During her long teaching career her philosophy was to be fair, firm, truthful, thorough and encourage each student to do their best academically and creatively. Many of her teaching years she asked her students to write about how they would prepare a live turkey for Thanksgiving. The "recipes" were sent to KMOX and published in the local newspapers. She also prepared them into booklets for their families to enjoy. Over the course of her career she was elected "Teacher of the Year."

Having a Christian family was the most important focus for her. She loved cooking meals for any special occasion for family and friends. Baking and cake or cookie decorating was a creative outlet she enjoyed especially her personalized gingerbread boys for her family and friends and students at Christmas time.

Helen and her family deeply appreciate all the people who helped them as she battled pancreatic cancer before the Lord took her to Heaven the true epitome of her faith.

She is survived by her husband Jim whom she married June 23, 1956,; daughters, Esther (Leon) Mokriakow of Glen Carbon, Ill., Rebecca Shillito of Troy, Ill,; brothers, Luther (Rose Ann ) Holst of Glen Carbon, Ill., Frank Holst of Colorado Springs, Col.; Seven grandchildren, Dennis and Nikolai Mokriakow, Sherry Shanks, Scott Mokriakow, Krystal Henderson, Joshua Dodson and Derrick Dodson. Great Grandchildren Matthew Mokriakow, Tyler Mokriakow and many step great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Gideons, Midwest Messianic Center First Baptist Church Missions, or Cru''s Jesus Film Project 160 Lake Hart Dr. Dep 300 Orlando, fl. 32832. Condolences to the family may be made:
www.herrfuneral.com

Visitation: Friends may call at the Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Ill., from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday August 30, 2016.

Services: Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Wednesday August 31, 2016, at the First Baptist Church in Collinsville, Ill with Rev. Greg Pratt officiating . Interment to follow at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.