Sister Helene Schneider, OSF (98) died on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 3:55 a.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Helene, the former Wilma Schneider, was born in Belleville, IL, on December 1, 1924, the daughter of Otto and Anna (Weik) Schneider. She entered the Congregation on September 8, 1947, and professed her religious vows on June 13, 1950.

Sister Helene was a 1955 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield. She received a beautician certificate from the Streator School of Beauty Culture and a certificate in clinical pastoral education from St. John’s Hospital, Springfield.

She served in various nursing roles at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, and Home Nursing for the Alverna Home Nursing Center, Chicago, IL. Sister Helene also served as a pastoral care chaplain at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland, IL, and at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, IL.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Clarence and Leroy Schneider, and her sister Bernice “Bean” Gaskill. She is survived by several generations of nieces and nephews and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 75 years.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Jim Thomas, Belleville, IL, on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

To read her feature from 2006, please click here.

Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.