Helen Franklin

Helen Grace Franklin

Age 60 of Morris and formerly Robinson, Illinois, passed away Thursday afternoon February 18, 2010 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home in Joliet.

Born September 7, 1949 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Helen was a daughter of the late Robert Black and Johnnye Toller-Stovall. She was raised and educated in the Lockport area and on August 6, 1972, Helen married Joseph Franklin, Sr. in Robinson, Illinois. She was a Registered Nurse and worked for Dr. Karen Wakefield in Palestine, Illinois, prior to gaining employment with the Illinois Department of Corrections, Dwight Correctional Facility, where she was currently the Health Care Unit Administrator. Helen was known for her love of traveling, real estate and shopping.

Survivors include her husband Joseph Franklin, Sr. of Morris, three children: Randy Jae Franklin of Joliet, Joseph Franklin, Jr. of San Francisco, California and Bethany (Brett) Thackrey of Morris; three grandchildren: Alyssa, Zachary and Cannon Grace; one brother John (Deb) Stovall of Channahon; two sisters: Vivian (Tracy Poppelwell) Stovall of Princeton, and Alice (Keith) Miller of Channahon and special friends: Debbie Bogwill of Morris and Carolyn (Greg) Utterback of Robinson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Saturday February 20, 2010 from 2:00PM until time of funeral service 6:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block East of Illinois Route 47) in Morris. Pastor Kevin Yandell will officiate and the family would then like to extend an invitation for a memorial gathering and dinner immediately following the services at the Moose Lodge in Morris.

The family will then again receive friends Sunday, February 21st between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Goodwine Funeral Home, 501 West LaMotte in Palestine, Illinois. (618/586-2067)

Funeral services will follow on Monday at 10:00AM from Goodwine Funeral Home, to Hutsonville Cemetery, where graveside committal will be officiated at 11:00AM.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Helen's memory to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Local funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. (815/942-2500)