Kay Helton, 82, of Charleston, Illinois passed away peacefully Sunday, October 23, 2022 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston, Illinois. Reverend Janice Kahl will be officiating the service. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials in her honor may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children- St. Louis or the Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, Illinois and left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

Kay was born November 11, 1939 in Tuscola, Illinois the daughter of Gerald Richardson Harmon and Hester Mae (Lowery) Harmon. She married the love of her life Bill A. Helton on August 6, 1961 and spent 53 wonderful years together before his passing on April 13, 2015. She is survived by her two children, Michael (Lisa) Helton of Terre Haute, Indiana and Lori (Kevin) Rankin of Charleston, Illinois; one granddaughter, Kacie Rankin (Bryant Evans); numerous nieces and nephews; and their adoptive family, Kurt and Tracie Rankin and their children Brianna (Ross) Craig, Brody Rankin, and Brooklynn Rankin who considered Bill and Kay their grandparents. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers Larry and Earl Harmon.

Kay graduated from the Charleston High School class of 1958. She worked for the Charleston Community School District as the school nurse secretary before retiring in 1997. She was a proud member of the Wesley United Methodist Church. In her younger years she was a member of Job’s Daughters and was elected queen one year before later joining the Eastern Star.

Kay had a love for genealogy, sewing, and scrapbooking. She would take trips with friends and visited Florida several times, since it was her favorite place. She had a passion for all sports. She could be seen cheering on the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, and the Illini Football Team. Most importantly she enjoyed going to Kacie’s sporting events and was her biggest fan. Kay is going to be dearly missed.

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