Helen Kolb, 98, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Sunday, November 3, 2024, at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 19, 1926, in Gibson County, Indiana, the daughter of Harold G. and Dorothy A. (Richardson) Waddle. She married Paul W. Kolb on February 28, 1946, and they were blessed with seventy-one years of marriage until his passing on June 21, 2017.

Helen worked for many years as a cook for District #348 and St. Mary Catholic School. Helen was active in a bridge group for many years and looked forward to playing at the local senior center. She made many friendships at the quilting club she belonged to at the Christian Church. She loved doing handiwork, and was an expert at sewing, quilting and crochet. Helen had a loving heart, and it brought her great joy to be able to gift her creations to everyone who impacted her life. Many friends, doctors, nurses and acquaintances through the years were blessed with her gifts, along with thousands of newborn babies were gifted a special hat made by Helen’s hands. Helen loved her family dearly and was a very proud Mama to her five grandsons. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and her presence will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Helen leaves behind her son, Richard Kolb and wife, Linda; daughter, Angie Beard and husband, Rodger; grandsons, John Ralph (Stephanie) Kolb, Joe Paul (Courtney) Kolb, Micky (Mary Catherine) Deming, Tony Deming, Augustus (Danielle) Kolb; great grandchildren, Sydney (Ben) Ward, Bridger (Elizabeth) Kolb, Kryslyn (Alex Davis) Kolb, Jaycee Kolb, Cash Conner, Lydia Deming, Mark Deming, Anna Deming, Claire Helen Deming; two great-great grandchildren, Bethann & Bentley Kolb; one great grandchild and one great-great grandchild on the way; sisters, Betty Jo Winternheimer, Peggy (Wilbur) Brown.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant daughter, Phyllis Anne Kolb; son, John Robert Kolb; brother, Robert Waddle.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a Visitation from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Zwilling as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery where Helen will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Paul.

The family asks if you have been blessed with a handmade gift from Helen, please bring it to the church to be on display during the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to WC Cafeteria & Senior Center or St. Mary Catholic Church. Envelopes will be at the Church or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home,1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.

Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Helen’s tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave condolences for the Kolb family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com