Helen M. Hinrichs Blair

Helen M. Hinrichs Blair, 94, of Petersburg, IL passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, in Jacksonville, IL. She was born on November 21, 1927, in Mason County to Henry and Eva (Davis) Lippert. She married Edwin R. Hinrichs on December 5, 1947, and he preceded her in death on May 30, 1995. She later married Bill Blair on October 6, 2005, and he preceded her in death April 25, 2018.

Helen is survived by her 5 children, Lois (Don) Kording of Jacksonville, IL, Rhonda (John) Grosboll of Petersburg, IL, Cris (Dick) Partridge of St. Helena, CA, Doug (Priscilla) Hinrichs of Silver Springs, MD, and Jenny Stroemer of Barry, IL; 9 grandchildren; 2 stepsons, JR (Kathie) Blair and Ken Blair; two step granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents; 10 siblings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to Helen’s intelligence and tenacity, she graduated at the age of 16 and boarded a train to Chicago with her best friend, Betty, and started her first job. With the impending war, she came back to her roots and home where she met her handsome “Big Ed” Hinrichs. While he was serving in the military, she worked at Camp Ellis. After he came back from Germany in WWII, they wed and then became farmers in Petersburg, IL, where they raised five children. Helen was a very busy homemaker with 5 children, running from farm field to farm field with food and drink for their hired workers until their baby, Jenny, went to school. Helen then worked for Rittenhouse Implement, Finney pharmacy and Stevens Implement dealer where she became very computer literate at the age of 60+ and took on many responsibilities. Helen was a Christian woman and helped at her church with the nursery, teaching bible classes, assisting with secretarial duties and loved the Lord. She taught her children all she could about serving God. Helen and Ed were very busy with all the children being active in school and church activities and as far as we know, they never skipped a piano recital, musical play, church choir, Vacation Bible School class, jazz band, or any school concert. Her children will state Helen and Ed were amazing and loving parents.
A funeral service will be held for Helen on Saturday, October 15 at 3:00 PM at the First Christian Church in Petersburg. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM also at the church. Pastor Dave Poeschel and Karl Beaty will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Petersburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com
Hurley Funeral Home in Petersburg, IL is assisting the family with arrangements.