Helen Leona Courtney Wolfinbarger

January 19, 1915 - February 8, 2007

Helen Leona Courtney Wolfinbarger, age 92, of Inverness, FL and formerly of Antioch, IL and Marion, IL, passed away at 10:51 p.m. EST, Thursday, February 8, 2007, of congestive heart failure, in Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, FL. She had lived in Antioch Lake County, IL, near her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren most of her life. Helen was the first daughter of William Thomas and Annetta May (Cocke) Courtney and was born January 19, 1915, in Marion, IL. She attended college at Southern Illinois University for two years, and then later finished her education at Northern Illinois University B.A. in Education. Helen taught school in Lake County, IL for 30 years and retired from teaching when she was 65. She was a member of the Christadelphian Church of Marion, and since moving to Inverness, FL, in 2005; she had been attending the First Presbyterian Church of Inverness. Helen was a former member of the Antioch Illinois Women’s Club. Some of other interest and talents included being able to sew and make just about anything, including quilts; she was an avid reader, great baker, artist, writer, gardener and storyteller. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Annetta Sue (Wolfinbarger) and Gary K. Allen of Inverness, FL; one son and daughter-in-law, William Courtney and Louise Wolfinbarger of Antioch, IL; nine grandchildren, Wendy Sue Shulda and husband, Scott, Jennifer Sue LaTocha and husband, Fabian, Robin Lynn Pekelsma and husband, Jeffery, Beth Ann Diemer, Melissa Kay Hettlinger, Hiede Walsh and husband, David, Jody Mae Misch and husband, Timothy, Heather Coskey and husband, Ryan, and Timothy Rodman Garland and wife, Kathy; four step- grandchildren, Gregory David Allen and wife, Sandy, Karen Elizabeth Sijovic and husband, Dusan, Marjorie Kay Mahar and husband, John, and Janice Marie Grenier and husband, Justin; sixteen great grandchildren, Andrew Edward Diemer, Kennedy Sue Hettlinger, Fabian Jacob LaTocha, Mattie Margaret La Tocha, Ryan Timothy Garland, Patrick Randall Joyce, Jordon Tyler Shulda, Olivia Lauren Shulda, Ethan Scott Shulda, Alex Jeffery Pekelsma, Allison Jean Pekelsma, Rugby MacKenzie Walsh, Declan Liam Walsh, Aidan Donovan Walsh, Abbey Thiery Coskey and Cole William Coskey; eleven step great- grandchildren, Amanda Mae Mahar, Daniel James Mahar, Emily Kay Mahar, Samuel John Mahar, Luke Edward Mahar, Natalie Ann Gers, Adam David Gers and Ashley Nicole Gers, Mitchell Raymond Allen, Cacy Mae Allen and Averi Alexandra Allen; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Gilbert Smart of Marion, IL; a host of nieces, nephews, other extended family members and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mary Elizabeth (Courtney) Robnett and Annetta Elaine (Courtney) Short and two brothers, Robert Gordon Courtney and WilBen Lee Courtney. Arrangements for Helen Leona (Courtney) Wolfinbarger have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, IL. The visitation for the family and friends was held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2007, at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service followed the time of visitation at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Victor Long presiding. Interment followed in the Freedom Cemetery south of Marion, IL. Those who preferred to make a memorial contribution in Helen’s memory, the family had requested contributions be to “American Cancer Society” and mailed c/o Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. Memorial contribution envelopes wiere available at the funeral home.