Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Helen Irene McKechan, 96, of Gillespie, Ill., died in St. Peters, Mo., on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. She was born March 8, 1926, in Benld to Sylvester and Julia (Onesky) Koschak. She married John B. McKechan in Chicago in October of 1957. He preceded her in death on Nov. 8, 1998.

She was retired after working as an administrative assistant for the State of Illinois Department of Agriculture. Helen liked to crochet.

She is survived by her children, Marcia (Verne) Schulte of Mt. Olive, John McKechan of Gillespie, Ronald (Helen) McKechan of Springfield, David McKechan of Gillespie, Patricia McKechan of St. Peters, Mo .; grandchildren, Jarid (Madeline) Schulte, Adam (Sarah) Schulte, Nicholas Schulte, Ashley McKechan; and great-grandchild, Della Schulte. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter in infancy, Elizabeth McKechan; great-grandson, Adam Schulte; brothers, Paul Koschak, John Koschak, Metro Koschak, Mike Koschak; and sisters, Ann Koschak and Judy "Dolly" Berutti.

Friends may call on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services are Thursday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie. Burial will be at Gillespie Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tunnel To Towers Foundation or Wounded Warriors. Condolences may be left online at http://www.kravanyafuneral.com.