Helen "Marie" Billingsley

Helen “Marie” Billingsley, 91, of Camden, passed away at 5:33 PM, Saturday, January 15, 2022, at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb.

She was born on August 20, 1930, in Missouri Township, Brown County, Illinois, the second child of Dewey Dwight and Clara Lucille (Kunkel) Norvell. She first married Everett Fretueg on July 14, 1948, in Mt. Sterling and he preceded her in death on January 16, 1949. She later married Morris “Ike” Billingsley on March 9, 1957, at the Mt. Sterling First United Methodist Parsonage in Mt. Sterling.  He preceded her in death on June 29, 2020.

Surviving are three children Michael Everett “Mike” Fretueg and wife Marian of Rushville, Teresa Anita Haines and husband Brian of Huntsville and Douglas Morris Billingsley and wife Becky of Camden, ten grandchildren Michelle Pate and husband Matt, Beau Fretueg and wife Rachelle, Greg Fretueg, Quentin Haines and wife Kristina, Daphne Ingles and husband Andy, Lacey Crumrine and husband Tim, Stoney Haines and wife Kayla, Alison Ruth and husband Josh, Erin Rechner and husband Jason, and Nicholas “Nick” Billingsley, 19 great grandchildren Maddox and McKinley Pate, Reed, Bennett, and Carter Fretueg, Breeley, Kinsley and Bridger Haines, Nolan and Jon Ingles, Cecylia Crumrine, Carsyn and Caydence Taylor, Callan Haines, Keaton, Kellen and Keeley Ruth, Rena and Odin Rechner, siblings Margie Ackers of Columbus, Ohio, Clara Billingsley of Industry, James “Jim” Norvell and wife Diane of Springfield, Dewey Norvell and wife Maggie of Kirkland, Dave Norvell and wife Kathy of Cook Station, Missouri, Jerry Norvell and wife Sue of Abingdon, Patsie Hopkins and husband Eddie of Sherman, Cheryl Bent and husband Gary of Petersburg, and Raymond Charles “Chuck” Norvell of Albany, Georgia, sisters-in-law Rosalie Morrell of Quincy, Betty Etter and husband Bill of Rushville, Barbara Taylor of Burlington, Iowa, Alberta Billingsley and Judy Peterman both of Rushville, Shirley Norvell of Townsend, Montana and Barbara John of Albany, Georgia and brother-in-law Wayne Billingsley and wife Twila of Crossville, Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, brothers Elmer Anthony “Tony” Norvell and Daniel Norvell, brothers-in-law Clarence E. “Buss” Billingsley and wife Imogene, James “Rude” Billingsley and wife Birdie, Robert Billingsley and wife Harriet, Lester “Abe” Billingsley, Harold Billingsley and Donald Billingsley, Kenneth Ackers and Morris Morrell, sisters-in-law Lucille Finch and husband Adrian and Janice Norvell,

She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Mt. Sterling in 1948.  Marie first worked in a soda fountain shop in Kirkwood, Missouri.  Then she went to work at Sears and Roebuck in Mt. Sterling.  She enjoyed being a mother and farmer’s wife. She attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Rushville and was a member of the Camden Area Canasta Club. She was an election judge for many years.  She enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking treats for her children and grandchildren and gardening.  She and Ike enjoyed many Rushville State Bank bus trips and boot kicking dances. Most of all she was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and loved all her family. After the death of her mother, she became the matriarch of the family

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 21, 2022, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Rushville with Father Joseph Domfe as celebrant.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Sterling Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, January 20, 2022 at the Wood Funeral Home in Rushville. Memorials are suggested to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.