Helen F. Valerius

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Helen F. Valerius, 71, of Elkville, passed away at 3:43 a.m., Friday, Dec. 31, 2010 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Helen was a retired school bus driver for the Elverado School District. She was a member of the Royalton Church of the Nazarene.

She was born Nov. 13, 1939 at Rosiclare, Ill., the daughter of Oscar V. and Georgia (Ricketts) Crabb.

She married William Ray Valerius on July 1, 1988 at Daytona, Fla. and he preceded her in death on April 6, 2008.

She is survived by three sons - Curtis Burton Messer of Naperville, Ill., Robert D. Messer and James L. Messer, both of Elkville, two step sons - Derek Valerius and Dirk Valerius, both of Elkville, one sister - Margie Burton of Norris City, Ill., cousin - Kay Evans of Metropolis, Ill., nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother - Charles Crabb.

Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at the Royalton Church of the Nazarene with Rev. David Sorenson officiating.

Burial was in the Elkville Cemetery at Elkville.

Friends may make memorials to the William R. Valerius Mathematics Scholarship Award at the Elverado High School and will be accepted at the funeral home.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin was in charge of arrangements.

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