Helen Perdue

Helen Perdue, 98 of Fairfield and formerly of Carmi, passed away at 6:25 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at Way-Fair Nursing and Rehab Center in Fairfield.

Born in Nashville, IL on January 12, 1915, she was the sixth child of Victoria (Slachetka) and Leon Jankowski, Sr. Helen grew up and was educated in Nashville and she graduated from Nashville High School with the class of 1933. She was a faithful member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Nashville, was a member of St. Ann's Alter Society, and played the organ.

Helen was married to Henry Edward Perdue on June 29, 1940, Ed and Helen had one child, Susan Carol, born in Centralia, IL on November 24, 1946. The family moved to Carmi in 1949.

In Carmi, Helen was a faitful member of St. Polycarp Catholic Church. She sang with the church choir and was a member and officer of the Ladies Guild. She was also a church lay minister, lector, and usher.

Helen's first job in Carmi was at The National Bank. She was also employed at Boren's Grocery. Helen worked for many years as a cashier and trainer for Martin and Bailey in many of their stores. She worked several years in the Carmi Times Publishing Company front office. She was an employee of the White County Bridge Commission and she was a volunteer at the White County Senior Citizens Center.

Helen loved people and throughout her life was very active in her community. She was a member of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries. She held all of the Chairs in the VFW Post 3851 Auxiliary and served one term as 13th District VFW Auxilary President. She was also a past Secretary of the Belleville Diocesesan Counsil of Catholic Women.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Ed, on January 6, 1968. She was also preceded in death by six brothers, Leo, Frank, Henry, Eddie, Bernie, and Walter; and one sister Mae Gianneschi. Helen is survived by her daughter, Susan Murphy of Fairfield, IL; and two grandchildren, Debby Hyatt and husband Nic of Carmi, and James Michael Murphy and his wife Marla of Bowling Green, KY. She is also survived by Mike and Marla's children, Kennedi and Morganne; one sister, Leona Kohorst of Springfield; many nieces and nephews; and many, many friends and neighbors.

Services for Helen Perdue, 98 of Fairfield and formerly of Carmi, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at St. Polycarp Catholic Church in Carmi with Rev. Father Vincent Obi officiating. Burial will be in the St. Polycarp Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at the Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to the White County Senior Citizens or the Way-Fair Activity Fund and will be accepted at the Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi.