Helen Whitacre

Helen Ilene Whitacre, 90, of Hudson, passed away Friday, October 9, 2020 at her home.

She was born October 27, 1929 in Hudson, IL to Jesse Glen and Lucina (Barnett) Vandergraft. She married Charles Whitacre on August 27, 1948 in El Paso. He survives.

Also surviving are her children Rick (Gwyneth) Whitacre of Hudson and Susan Whitacre Mathews of Hudson; six grandchildren, Mathew Davison of Normal, Mollie Webb of Wildwood, MO, Andrew Whitacre of House Springs, MO, Jessica Otto of Danvers, Ben Whitacre of Danvers, Chris Whitacre of Bloomington, IN; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Randy Whitacre and Phillip Whitacre, four brothers, Clarence "Bill", James, Clifford, and Jerry Vandergraft; and one sister, Janelle Vandergraft Roseman.

Helen worked side by side with her beloved husband "Chuck" on several businesses. She was a Dairy Heard Improvement Supervisor, Licensed Commodity Futures Broker, and was part owner/operator of Whitacre's Furniture in Hudson, IL.

Helen and Chuck established the Hudson Christian Church Food Pantry and were members of the church for sixty years. She loved to travel. She and Chuck visited all 48 lower states and Alaska. She enjoyed taking long drives with books on tape and eating at small mom and pop restaurants. She was an Avid Chicago Cubs fan.

Special thanks to home health care workers Lisa, Claudia, Pat, Noel and the Angels of OSF hospice.

A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at Hudson Cemetery. Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso is assisting the family with final arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Ilene Whitacre, please visit our floral store.