Ruth Jean Helm's Obituary
Ruth Jean (Provost) Helm passed away on September 14, 2025, at her home in Decatur, IL, with her loving family by her side. Ruthie was born April 6, 1949, in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Edmund and Marge Provost. She grew up in Carpentersville, IL, and attended Irving Crown High School. She attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating with a degree in Business Education. She married Jim LeMaster in 1972. This union produced two daughters whom she loved and adored through her entire life. She was the quintessential Mamma Bear. She taught school at Argenta/Oreana Middle School and at Richland Community College. In 1989 she started work at Caterpillar where she met and married Randy Helm, retiring after 19 years to spend time with her grandchildren. She maintained lifelong friendships with many of her sorority (Delta Zeta) sisters. She lovingly sponsored children in Haiti for many years. She adored all her children and grandchildren and felt so fortunate to have them to love. Ruthie’s favorite things were family gatherings, travel, quiet moments, watching the hummingbirds, enjoying and sharing the beauty and wildlife around her home, and spending time with her grandchildren. A woman of true faith, she was a member of GT Church. Ruthie had a lifelong passion for reading and even wrote a book titled “Feeling Broken” about how to trust God with your troubles.
She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, her sister Mary Helin, nephew Kevin Provost, brother-in-laws Michael Farr and Terry Helm. Ruthie was deeply loved and admired for her warmth, strength and unwavering dedication to those she loved. Her life was a reflection of love, resilience, and dedication. She fought Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) with the courage and tenacity of the strong woman she was. A special thank you to her sisters-in-law Shirley Farr and Carolyn Damery for their compassion and help through this time of need. A heartfelt thank you to the nurses at DMH and the people at Hands of God Hospice for their care and compassion. Although we will miss her deeply, we are grateful that her pain and suffering has ended and she is at peace. Survivors include: her husband of 34 years, Randy, daughters Jayme (Mark) Molinari, Lindsay (Bryan) LeMaster Kortte, stepsons Brian (Jen) Helm and Philip (Shannon) Helm, brother Robert (Pattie) Provost, 16 grandchildren: Caden, Hillary, Cohlman, Elle, Max, Aubrey, Ashley, Samantha, Jackson, Luke, Sarah, Joseph, David, Susanna, Kathryn and Levi, and many other family and friends.
There will be a visitation from 4-7pm on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to GT Church or Cure PSP Inc. 325 Hudson St, FL4, New York City, NY. 10213-0806.
Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is handling the cremation service. Condolences may be expressed at https://www.moranandgoebel.com.
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