- Date Of Birth: June 26, 1921
- Date Of Death: June 11, 2017
- State: Illinois
Helen Henry Glisson, 95, of Jacksonville, IL died Sunday, June 11, 2017, at Cedarhurst Assisted Living and Memory Care in Jacksonville where she was a resident. She was born Helen Irene Schumm on June 26, 1921, to Otto and Margaret Lonergan Schumm of Jacksonville.
Helen was married on June 8, 1941 to John Mervin Henry who preceded her in death on September 19, 1994. She later married Jack Glisson Sr. On April 11, 1996, and he died on September 11, 2011.
She leaves a lasting legacy in her six children; John Michael (wife, Jeanne) Henry of Lake in the Hills, Patricia (husband, Bob) Pinkerton of Jacksonville, Colleen Cooksey of Jacksonville, Nancy (husband, Marty) Rhoades of White Hall, Maureen (husband, Joe) Agner of Springfield, and Daniel (wife, Jessica) Henry of White Hall; a stepdaughter, Julia (husband, Whitney) Waugh of Nashville, TN; a stepson, Jack (wife, Suzie) Glisson of Jacksonville; 21 grandchildren, Laura (John) Moynihan, Stephen (Carolyn) Henry, Michael (Angie) Henry, Mark (Edwina) Henry, and Tim Henry, Greg (Carole) Tobin, Jeff (Cathy) Tobin, Kathy (Philip) Langdon, and Kristina Warfield, Beth (David) Knollhoff, and Heather (Samir) Mehta, Brian (Megan) Rhoades, Matt (Jen) Rhoades, Tony (Amanda) Rhoades, and Patrick (Heidi) Rhoades, Kendra (Blake) Cunningham, Scott (Jennie) Moulton, Lori (Brian) Everett, and Michael Agner, Brett (Brittany) Henry and Nikki Henry; seven step grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren, Becca, Daniel and Abby Moynihan, Brandon, Anna and Jake Henry, James and Max Henry, and Hannah, Ally, Josh, Alex, Noah, Gracie and Maddie Henry, Ben and Zach Tobin, Courtney Tobin (Robbie Springer), Emily (Stu) Hilton, Kelly and Abby Tobin, Patrick, Joe, Rachel and Marie Langdon, Sarah and Peter Warfield, Colin Knollhoff, and Bennett and Anika Mehta, Ariel, Alexis, Addison, Braxton and Bellamie Rhoades, Kamille and Olivia Rhoades, Kaylie, Hannah, Braylon, Eli and Brady Rhoades, Ella and Griffin Rhoades, Bode, Henry and Ellie Cunningham, Clara, Dean and Madelyn Moulton, Emilia and Oliver Everett, Parker Henry, and a great granddaughter expected in August; ten step great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, William “Bud” Schumm; three sisters, Margaret “Babe” Schumm, Frances Langdon, and Anita “Kate” Watts; a son-in-law, Al Cooksey; and a great grandchild, Averie Rhoades.
Helen attended Routt Catholic High School and graduated from Brown’s Business College. She was a stay-at-home wife and mother for 75 years and devoted her life to her family’s and friends’ activities. She and her husband, Merv, moved to Roodhouse where he founded Cloverleaf Feed Company in 1948. After raising their family in Roodhouse for forty years, they moved back to Jacksonville to retire. She was a member of the Church of Our Saviour parish and Catholic Daughters of America. She enjoyed delivering Doorbell Diners.
Helen’s primary love in life was her large family. She took pride in her children’s and grandchildren’s achievements and was never shy to boast about them. As Mother Theresa said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” She is also known for her love of baking, especially her creation and sharing of delicious desserts. Another passion was bridge, in which she was a Bronze Life Master. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge and expertise with her many friends in her bridge clubs. Finally, she was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a love which began while listening with her Dad to the Cards in the early 1930’s. She recently fulfilled a life-long dream by being able to throw out the first pitch at a Cardinals game in Busch Stadium for Jacksonville Night.
