Helen Elizabeth Carruthers
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Helen Elizabeth Carruthers, age 81, of Tamaroa, was called home into the loving arms of God on May 1, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. in Fair Acres Nursing Home, DuQuoin after a battle with alzheimer's, kidney trouble, and a broken heart. Helen was met at the gate by John David Carruthers, her husband of 57 ≤ years, who joined God's brigade of farmers on October 11, 2007 and her son, Larry, who was called home on June 11, 1972.
Helen was born on August 16, 1926 in Shoals, IN, the daughter of Bernard and Stella (Pelton) Butcher. She married John David Carruthers, the love of her life, on February 26, 1950 in Kankakee, IL. She was a woman of many talents. She was an awesome mother who took care of her family until she was unable to do so. When their grandson, Johnathon Aaron Hood, was born - you could actually see the aging process reverse in both Helen and John. He was the apple of grandma's eye! She was an excellent cook. She could out sew anyone when she was still able to sew. She crocheted. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge for many years. She sold arts and crafts at many of the Lodges's sales. Helen and John always made a big garden to help with the feeding of the family. She canned all the vegetables for the family. She made outstanding jams and jellies, was an absolute wonder in designing clothes for herself and her daughter, Mary. She made hundreds of Barbie doll clothes and sold them at Christmas time, so some young girl would have a Barbie Doll outfit like nobody else had!
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law: Mary and Robin Hood of Marion, grandson; Johnathon Aaron Hood of Marion, three sisters: Mildred Williams of Manteno, Louise Bosman of Bradley, and Alice Rimke of Manteno, and brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, three brothers: Joseph, Ralph, and Clarence Butcher, four sisters: Theresa Hamman, Mary Benge, Stella Ruth Russell, and Margaret Flint.
At Helen's request, graveside services are to be held at Paradise Cemetery, Tamaroa, on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Geoff Flint officiating. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Fair Acres Nursing Home, the nurses with Luke Memorial Hospice, and Dr Gladstone Tucker.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Du Quoin, is in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.