Helen Patricia (nee Howe) Martin, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 11, 2021 surrounded by the love of her family.

Helen was born on September 13,1930, in Dodgeville, Wisc.  She was the youngest of nine children born to William and Mary (Long) Howe.  Helen moved to Madison, Wisc. while in high school and graduated in 1948.  She attended the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.  She was a lifelong member of Theta Sigma Upsilon.  Helen's family of origin was very proud that she was their family's first college graduate.  She began her teaching career in Escanaba, Mich.  There she reconnected with her future husband, John Michael, or "Mike," who she had originally met 10 years earlier when Mike's brother and Helen's sister were married.  Mike and Helen were married in St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison, on June 23, 1956.

Mike was an Air Force pilot, and their first home was at Rantoul Air Force Base near Champaign, Ill.  They also lived in Victorville, Calif.; Montgomery, Ala.; Dover, Del.; and La Mesa, Calif. before settling permanently in O'Fallon, Ill. in 1977. During these years, Helen and Mike raised a large family of seven children.

Mike retired from the Air Force in 1981,  and they chose to remain in O'Fallon. In their retirement years, Mike and Helen traveled to many beautiful places all over the world.  Helen's most memorable trip was to her ancestral homeland in Ireland.

Helen loved being an Air Force wife and supported her husband all the while raising her children.  She was often on her own during the many times Mike was serving overseas.  Helen actively participated in the Officers' Wives Club at the various bases.  During this time, she also taught a year at Dover High School and later a year at Sacred Heart School in San Diego.  After their move to O'Fallon, Helen substitute taught almost every day for nearly 30 years, including several long term assignments, primarily at O'Fallon Township High School.

Helen was a devoted mother to her seven children.  She kept very busy running her children to sporting events, music lessons, scout meetings, and school functions among countless other things.  She was a wonderful grandmother to thirteen and great-grandmother to ten.  Helen, known as "Granny" to her grandkids, was very active in their lives, often helping with babysitting and attending their school events.  Granny and Papa's home was frequently the site of large family gatherings.  Helen traveled many times to attend special events of grandchildren who didn't live locally, and she loved having them come visit her in O'Fallon.  She will be remembered fondly by her family as the best banana bread baker.

Additionally, Helen went back to school and earned her Master of Science in Education:  Counselor Education degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1986.  She spent several years as a volunteer for Hospice of Southern Illinois.  Helen continued her life of service to others as a devoted caretaker over a span of many years for both her husband and her son.

Helen tried to live by the words in Micah 6:8, "To act justly, and to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God."  Helen was a member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church since it's inception in 1982.  There she often attended daily Mass and was a lector, lector trainer, member of Small Christian Community and Yesterday's Kids.  She was an avid reader and belonged to many book clubs and attended various scripture classes over the years.  Helen also attended Father Roger Karban's scripture classes for over 30 years and was a member of Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity.   Additionally, she attended Schnucks Tuesday Coffee Group with her dear friends, Diane, Vern, and Mary.  Helen was known and respected for her many contributions and wise words at these functions.

Helen and Mike were married for almost 56 years before Mike's death on January 26, 2012.  Helen continued to live in her lakeside home and in the community she loved so much.  Helen was easy to spot tootling around town in her 1995 red Volvo with its distinctive license plate HELEN M.  She remained living independently until a fall at home at the end of August.  This led to her stay at St. Paul's Senior Community Center where she received excellent care. The family would like to acknowledge our gratitude to Hospice of Southern Illinois for the comfort and care given to her in her final days.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary Howe, her siblings, Jim, Joe, Kaye, Barney, Liz, Lorraine, Loretta, and Margaret, her husband, Mike, and her two sons, David and Joseph.

Left to mourn her loss are her five daughters, Phyllis Patten (Robert) of O'Fallon, Ill.; Kathleen Martin (Richard Strassel) of Cambria, Calif.; Sheila Rapp (Robert) of O'Fallon, Ill.; Theresa Gentle (Thomas Jr.) of St. Michael, Minn.; Margaret Rose (Donald) of St. Charles, Mo.; and daughter-in-law, Cathrine Martin of Seattle, Wash. Additionally her thirteen grandchildren, Jenny Martin, Stephen Walters, Grace Neeley (Branden), Keith Patten (Kacey), Elaine Tabor (Geoffrey), Jeanine Carlson-Nelson (Joshua), Dylan Martin (Kiara), Christopher Rapp (Meghan), Jacob Rapp (Mollie), Thomas Gentle III, Cecilia Gentle, Samuel Gentle, and Luke Gentle and her ten great-grandchildren, Natalie, Juliann and Charles Neeley, Jovie and Tessa Patten, Liam and Leif Carlson-Nelson, Cassius Elliot Martin, and Owen and Mabry Rapp will all greatly miss their Granny.  Helen is also survived by many nieces and nephews who will mourn the loss of Aunt Helen who was the last earthly connection to their parents' generation of relatives.  Many others will be saddened by the loss of their good friend, Helen.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at https://www.wfh-ofallon.com/ .

Memorials may be made to the St. Nicholas Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Visitation: 4 - 8 pm, Sunday, November 21, 2021 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon. Yesterday's Kids will conduct a walk-through at 12:15 pm, Monday, at the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 pm, Monday, November 22, 2021, at the church, with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding.

Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Shiloh, Ill.

Services entrusted to Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon, Illinois.