Helen Chitwood of Tamaroa

Helen V. Chitwood, 90, of Tamaroa, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018 at the Du Quoin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Helen had been an assembler for 35 years at Bussmann Fuse Company. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa.

Helen was born Aug. 1, 1928 in Tamaroa, the daughter of Frank and Emma (Ziarnek) Dreczka.

She married John T. Chitwood on April 16, 1955 in St. Louis, and he preceded her in death on July 5, 1985.

Helen is survived by one son, Ernest (Charlene) Chitwood of Tamaroa; two granddaughters, Amy (Josh) Rhoades of Wright City, Missouri and Amanda Haun of Elkville; one grandson, Rolan Chitwood, of Tamaroa; two great-grandchildren, Johnathan Haun and Emilie Haun, both of Elkville; twin great-grandsons on the way and one sister, Mary Ann Harbin, of St. Louis.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters, Clara Rybacki and Theresa Reidelberger.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa, with Father Joseph Oganda officiating.

Friends may call from 8 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa.

Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Tamaroa.

Friends may make memorials to the American Heart Association, which will be accepted at the funeral home.

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