CARLINVILLE, Ill. -- Helen Fay Foster, 81, of Carlinville passed away peacefully Monday, April 22, 2013, at Carlinville Rehab and Nursing Care. She entered into eternal rest after an extended illness with her family surrounding her.

She was born July 1, 1931, in Fidelity, Ill., in Jersey County. She was the daughter of Freab Matthew and Martha Pearl Greenstreet Wise.

Helen was raised in Medora, Ill., in Macoupin County, where she attended grade school and high school. She met James Edward Foster at the Victory Family Restaurant in Carlinville where Helen was employed.

Helen and James were married Feb. 10, 1951, in Piggott, Ark. They lived in Carlinville the last 62 years.

She was the mother of six children, Sheila Fay Foster and James Edward Foster Jr. (Rita) of Carlinville, Deborah Jean Wilson (Michael) of Springfield, Ill., Gary Eugene Foster (Robin) of Carlinville, Michael Wayne Foster (Margie) of Plainview, Ill., and Amy Renee Wilson (Jerry) of Mount Olive, Ill. Helen was a happy grandmother of seven grandchildren, Stephanie Eldred (Bryan) and Jamie Whitlock (Kenneth) of Carlinville, Kara Wilson of Carbondale, Ill., Rachel Wilson of Springfield, Steven Foster (Anne) of Chatham, Ill., Jessica Ford (Robert) of Carlinville and Marissa Wilson of Mount Olive; and seven great-grandchildren.

Helen was a wonderful wife and excellent cook, and she drew clowns for her children and grandchildren. She was a den mother for her son James' Cub Scout pack. She was a member of Carlinville First Assembly of God Church. Helen will be greatly missed.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. today at Olive Branch Cemetery, with Stephen Clardy officiating.

Crain Funeral Home of Tamms, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.

To leave online condolences, visit www.crainsonline.com.