Helen M. Staley, age 96, of Flora, IL passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at the Flora Rehab & Healthcare Center in Flora.

Mrs. Staley was born March 5, 1917 in Clay County, IL to Lewis A. and Laura (Hamilton) Sehie. She married Carl W. Staley on July 25, 1936 in Clay County. He preceded her in death on August 9, 1991. To this marriage were born 3 children who survive: Ruth McCormack, William E. “Bill” Staley, and Linda K. Sheley.

Mrs. Staley was a homemaker and a member of the First Christian Church of Flora and the Ever Ready Sunday School Class of the church. She was also a 55 year member of Rebekah Lodge #184, as well as a member of the Past Noble Grand Club of the lodge.

Helen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Ruth M. and Hubert McCormack of Flora, her son and daughter-in-law: William E. “Bill” and Nikki (Shehorn) Staley of Energy, her daughter Linda K. Sheley and fiancée Garry Clawson of Hamilton, OH, along with one sister: Emma (Sehie) Patterson of Lexington, KY. Also surviving is 7 grandchildren: Richard (Donna) McCormack of Clay City, Dan (Denise) McCormack of Salem, Tina McCormack of Flora, Ann (Mike) Williams of Energy, Brad (Kimberly) Staley of Herrin, Marcy (George) Mullins of Ohio, Danielle (Wayne) Schatzle, of Ohio; 12 great-grandchildren: J. Blake (Daphne) McCormack of Effingham, Malerie (Corey) Knop of Flora, Karlie Williams of Herrin, Lauryn Staley of Marion, Gavin, Ashton, and Hadley Staley of Herrin, Alyssa and Olivia McCormack of Salem, Samantha and Tiffany Schatzle and Marcell Mullins all of Ohio; 5 great-great-grandchildren: Brianna McCormack of Effingham, Madilyn and Gavin Knop of Flora, Jacob Walker of Flora, Khail Crabtree of Herrin; and 4 step-great-grandchildren: Sarah Hayes of Muncie, IN, Samantha (Austin) Walker, Amanda (Luke) Wasion-Czyzewski and Zac Wasion of Flora. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four sisters (Beulah Paris, Fern Smith, Deletha Craig, Sarah Young), and one brother (Ernest Sehie).

The funeral service for Helen Staley will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery, Flora. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service on Thursday at Frank & Bright Funeral Home. The family has requested that memorial donations be made to First Christian Church of Flora or to the Flora Public Library.