Helen R. Guerrero

Helen R. Guerrero, 85, of Galesburg, died at 8:55 a.m. on Friday, January 8, 2010 at home.   Helen was born on August 31, 1924 in Galesburg, the daughter of Joseph and Isabel Casillas Padilla.  Helen worked at the Galesburg Research Hospital for 20 years and had spent the last several years as a homemaker.  She was a member of the LULAC Council and had been awarded LULAC state woman of the year.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and its altar and rosary society.   Surviving Helen are her children, Rosemary “Dolly” Gutierrez, Diane Duarte, Lenny Guerrero, Jr., Lupe Guerrero, Ronnie Guerrero, and Helen “Princy” Guerrero all of Galesburg; and her brothers and sisters, Jenny Vasquez, Frances Cervantez, Sally Ponce, Elizabeth “Pinky” Ewing, Mary Joe Schaeffer, Joe Padilla, Richard Padilla, Manuel Padilla, and Anthony Padilla all of Galesburg.  Also surviving are 19 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leonard, 2 brothers, Eddie and Jesus, a great grandson, and a great great grandson.   Funeral Mass for Helen will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, with Rev. William Miller, officiating.  Visitation will be on Monday from 5-7 p.m. at Watson Funeral Home, with the rosary being prayed at 7 p.m.  Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg.  Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Church.