Elsie L. Helfrich

Elsie L. Helfrich



Elsie L. Helfrich of Columbia, formerly of Paderborn, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2008 at Canterbury Manor Nursing Home in Waterloo at the age of 96 years.

Born in Columbia on April 15, 1912, she was the daughter of John and Bernadine (Weilbacher) Janson. She married Arthur P. Helfrich on November 14, 1946 in Columbia and he preceded her in death on July 3, 2004.

Mrs. Helfrich was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Paderborn, St. Anns Sodality and the Floraville Homemakers.

Preceding her in death besides her parents and her husband, Arthur, were a son-in-law, Joseph Matlock, her brothers, Clarence Janson, John Janson, Adrian Janson, Lawrence Janson and Oliver Janson in infancy and a sister, Hilda Heck.

Left to mourn her passing are her children, Elaine Matlock of Columbia, Eilene Helfrich of Phoenix, Arizona, Arlou (Doug) Bartlett of Anchorage, Alaska and Bernita (Gary) Maurer of Waterloo; a brother, Br. Herbert Janson, S. M. of San Antonio, Texas; a sister-in-law, Clara Janson of Columbia, nine grandchildren, Mark (Leslie) Matlock, Chris and Sarah Matlock, Jim, Danielle and John Bartlett, Jamie (Joe) Kulessa, Jason and Joshua Maurer; one great-grandson, Joseph James Matlock, nieces, nephews and many friends.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Paderborn with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Michaels Cemetery.
Friends may call on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 from 4:00 to 9:00 P.M. and from 9:00 to 9:40 A.M. Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at the Creason Funeral Home, Millstadt. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday.

Memorials may be made to St. Michaels Building Fund or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be received at the funeral home.