Our beloved Florence Helmick departed our world and passed on to be with those she has missed for so long at 8:06 a.m. Nov. 2, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She was 77 years old.

She was born Florence Marilyn Joan Wingler on June 22, 1933. The 3rd child of the late Chester and Alma (Davidson) Wingler.

She married Herb Helmick Sr. on August 4, 1950 in Farmer City. They had spent 60 years together and 7 children.

She leaves behind her husband, 5 children; Rick (Debbie) Helmick of St. Joseph, Patricia L. Helmick of Champaign, Jo Lynn (Marion (Boots)) Lewis of ID, Vicki L. (Gary) Plackett of Pesotum and Kristi L. Helmick of Champaign, 14 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, brother; William (Bill) Wingler of Champaign, a sister; Kay (George) Meek of MI, an aunt Virginia Whitlatch of Urbana, her in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins, her friends; Jeannine Baker, Vernelle King, Barb Mack, all of Urbana and Sharon Sieler of Effingham and her K-9 companion Abby.

She has gone to join her parents, a brother; Jimmy Wingler and a sister; Dorothy Wingler, 2 sons; Jay Helmick and Herby Helmick Jr., a granddaughter; Lori Ann Rivera and a grandson; Ricky (Boo) Helmick.

Florence was born and raised in Urbana. She worked for IGA, the T.B. Sanitarium and at the County Nursing Home before she started a new career taking care of her still growing family and do bookkeeping for her husbands business "Helmicks Lumber Mill". Florence had many interests. She was on several bowling leagues for decades. She loved to crochet; she loved to decorate for the holidays, especially X-Mas. One year she and her friend Jeannine competed to see who decorated their house the best. Jeannine said, "as soon as I pulled up in the drive I knew she won"! It gave her great pleasure to put on a big party for her whole family every X-Mas season. She joined a ceramics class and enjoyed it so much and was so good at it that she opened a small shop in front of her husbands business in March of 1983. She called it, "The Gift Box". She sold things she had made as well as things others had made. It was open about 3 years.

The family would like to give special thanks Judy Pease for all her love and support.

Family and friends will gather together to honor the life of Florence at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. Visitation will be held from 6 - 8 p.m Fri. Nov. 5th. Services will be 12 Noon Sat. Nov. 6th. She will be laid to rest at Eastlawn Cemetery in Urbana.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carle Hospice.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.