Helen R. Highfill

Helen R. Highfill, 94, passed away peacefully at her home, Sunday, September 24, 2023. Helen was born in Peoria, IL on May 9, 1929 to Norbert and Regina (Seipel) Bourscheidt.

Many families in the area will remember Mrs. Highfill from her 20+ years of babysitting their children with care and affection: Helen never met a baby or child she didn’t love. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking, doing puzzles, and sending fun-filled cards and letters to her friends and family to celebrate their special occasions.

Helen married the love of her life, Felix Highfill, in 1951; they were married for 41 years before his passing in 1993. They moved to Mokena in 1960 and purchased their home in the heart of town in 1965, where they raised their eight children. Helen maintained an open door policy; everyone was welcome.

She is survived by her son Joseph (Lupita), son-in-law Harvey Helfer, daughter Theresa (John Bourg), daughter-in-law Lynn Highfill, son Peter, daughter Ann (Tim) Filip, son Theodore (Kim), daughter Cecilia (James) Okrzesik; sister Carol Vogel and her cherished grand, great-grand and great-great grandchildren...all 45+ and counting of them! Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

Helen is predeceased by her husband, Felix; her daughter Regina Helfer, son John Highfill, daughter-in law Maureen Highfill, granddaughter Megan Walpole, sisters Mary Mowbray, Geraldine Collins, Joan Hill and Ann Kelch and brothers Norbert and Henry Bourscheidt.

Visitation, Monday, October 2, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 19604 S. Wolf Rd Mokena IL 60448. Funeral Mass, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 10:30AM at St. Joseph’s Church, 255 W. North St, Manhattan IL 60442. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Mokena, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet IL 60431 or a charity of your choice. For more information 708-479-1210 or www.vandenbergfuneralhome.com