Frances "Helen" Mavis , died Friday July 24, 2015 at Avonlea Cottage, Milan. Services for Mrs. Mavis will be 11:00am Friday August 14, 2015 at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 E. 4th Avenue, Milan. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island with her husband, Stanley. Memorials may be made in Helen's name to: Alzheimer's Association in care of Avonlea Cottage at 2021 First Street East, Milan, Illinois 61264.

Helen was born on April 9, 1927 in Woodstock, Illinois, daughter of Donald and Frances Blodgett. She was a graduate of Woodstock High School and a part-time student at McHenry County College in her later years. As a young woman she worked at Woodstock Typewriter and AT&T in Chicago, Illinois. Helen and Stanley met at the McHenry roller rink when Stanley returned from WWII. They were married in Woodstock, Illinois by Rev. Roger Kaufman on October 4, 1947. Helen and Stanley were members of Grace Lutheran Church for over 50 years. For a number of years, Helen was the secretary at Grace Lutheran Church. She finished her professional career as the secretary at Clarence Olson School for 18 years. She was a member of Naomi Circle, and the local Woodstock book club. She was a Girl Scout leader, and a volunteer at the McHenry County Hospital gift shop. Helen played the piano beautifully and every day filled the house with music. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, family and friends and golfing at the Woodstock Country Club.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley, her parents Donald and Frances Blodgett, her brother Donald Blodgett his wife Elaine, her step-father Peter Brahy and her son–in-law William Miller.
Helen has two daughters, Carol (Ed Mueller) of Milan, Illinois and Nancy Miller of Montgomery, Illinois.

Survivors include; daughters, Carol (Ed) Mueller, Milan, Nancy Miller, Montgomery, Ill.,
niece, Barbara (Terry) Winters, Crystal Lake, Illinois, nephew, Rev. Robert (Beth)Mavis, Hermitage, PA and sister-in-law, Violet Mavis , Crystal Lake, Illinois.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to the staff at Avonlea Cottage and Hospice Compassus for their kindness and care.