Mrs. Connie Ruth Helms

Mrs. Connie R. Helms, 67, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away at her home

Friday, November 30, 2018 after her struggle with metastasized breast cancer.

Connie was born April 4, 1951 in Galesburg the daughter of Edwin F. and Ruth K. Hanson Maltby. She married Donald L. Malone in 1971. They had a daughter, Tiffany (fiancé Justin Cary) Malone of Knoxville, Illinois; a son, Brenton (Deana) Malone of Gates, Tennessee; and three grandchildren, Mackenzie Frainer, Kirra Malone and Wyatt Malone

She later married Stephen R, Helms on September 5, 2005 in Galesburg. She had known Stephen for some time since they had dated briefly while Connie was in high school.  He survives, along with his children, Jody (Cody) Lewis, Marty Helms and Sara Helms; and grandchildren, Lauren and Hannah Lewis.

Connie is also survived by her sister, Jeri Maltby (Gary) Kitchin of Monmouth, Illinois and nieces and nephews and a great nephew whom she adored. They loving called her Aunt Con Con. She is preceded in death by her parents, and a half sister, Ann Maltby (Allen) Harshbarger.

Connie graduated from Galesburg High School in 1969. After graduation she attended Young’s School of Beauty becoming a beautician. In 1988, she attended Southwest Medical Society Academy in Tempe, Arizona and obtained a Nursing Assistant Certificate. When she returned to her hometown of Galesburg in 1989, she began working for Bridgeway, Inc. becoming a Substance Abuse counselor and DUI Evaluator after a 2 year internship. She was Illinois State Certified as a counselor in 1991 and worked in this profession for over 22 years. Connie was well regarded as a DUI Evaluator and was honored to be able to pass on her experience to other counselors during her lectures and workshops she presented. She had worked at Bridgeway, Inc., CADS in Rock Island, Illinois and RICCA in Silvis, Illinois. Connie was a member of First Lutheran Church.

She enjoyed reading psychological thrillers and suspense novels. Connie loved spending time with her family, eating out with past co-workers, playing cards and interactive games on her computer, and enjoying a glass of wine. She liked cooking though always admitting she was not very good at it.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 am Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg. Chaplain Jordan Knight will officiate. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm Tuesday at the chapel. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island. Family has requested that all memories be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation or Safe Harbor Crisis Center. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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