Helen Virginia Fly

HELEN FLY, age 95, of Marion, passed away at 10:47pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at Carrier Mills Nursing Home. The daughter of Charles and Edna (Pritchett) McInturff, Helen was born on the family farm south of Marion on July 13, 1916. On October 21, 1933, she married Dallas B. Fly in Marion and he preceded her in death on May 6, 1979. Helen and Dallas were the parents of two sons who also preceded her in death, J.C. on March 11, 1977, and Walter Burnell on November 8, 2010. Helen grew up on the family farm and attended Fountain School. During World War II she and her husband were employed at the Illinois Ordnance Munitions Plant. She later worked in the Ordill area for thirteen years at Sangamo Electric while attending cosmetology school and working as an apprentice hairdresser. In 1963 Helen and her sister, Mary McInturff, also a hairdresser, purchased Fannie Graces beauty shop located on North Market Street in Marion, and changed the name to Mary-Helens Beauty Shop. In 1974, following the illness of Mrs. Flys husband, the sisters moved the beauty shop to the Fly home on South Carbon Street where they continued working until they were both past eighty years old. Mrs. Fly was one of the oldest members of Fountain United Methodist Church, and was a former member of the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, serving on the membership committee for many years. Survivors include her daughter-in-law- Donna Fly Former Daughter-in-law- Sharon (Bryan) Wilson Six Grandchildren- Michael (Debra) Fly, Scott Fly, Sherri Ritke, Dallas Fly, Christopher Fly, and Adrienne (Shane) Mizen Five great grandchildren- Stephanie (John) Travelstead, Tracy Jeralds, Clint Fly, Brad Ritke, and Cara Ritke Six great great grandchildren- Brayden, Hayden, and Cayden Travelstead, Kegan Kronsbein, Drake Jeralds, and Carter Ritke Brother-in-law and sister-in-law- James and Martha Fly Eight nieces Two nephews Several great nieces and nephews In addition to being preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two sons, she was also preceded by her three sisters and two brother-in-laws- Mary McInturff, Dora (Carl) Brown, and Naomi (Joe) Stevens; great granddaughter- Jill Nicole Fly; sister-in-law and brother-in-law- Pearl (Fly) and James Shugrue, and sister-in-law Allean Fly. Visitation for Helen Fly will be held from 1:00pm until the time of funeral services on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Shook officiating. She will be interred next to her husband at Fountain United Methodist Church Cemetery. For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Fountain Church Cemetery. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or may be mailed in care of Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home; 800 N Market Street; Marion, IL 62959.