Obituary for Helen H. Nicol
Helen H. Nicol, age 93, passed away on March 24, 2025. She was born on June 28, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan to Morris and Sarah Place. Of the five children, Helen was the oldest.
Helen grew up on a dairy farm in Rochester, Michigan and performed many of the required farm jobs – driving tractors, bottling milk and making home deliveries on the milk route. The Van Hoosen Farm was donated to Michigan State and is now a museum.
In 1951, Helen moved to Peoria, Illinois to start her family. She spent nearly 30 years as the school secretary at Woodrow Wilson Grade School in Peoria. Volunteering at Proctor Hospital with the Ladies Auxiliary for many years, eventually becoming the President. Also working in the Proctor gift shop as well as being a Buyer for the Gift Shop. She really enjoyed the annual shopping trip to Chicago to pick new items for the Gift Shop.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bruce Place and sisters, Maureen Logan and Mary Stynchcombe.
Her brother Morris C Place, Jr survives in Louisianna.
She is survived by her 4 children: G. Stephen Byerly (Peggy) of Oklahoma City, OK; Susan Fournier of Bloomington, IL, Sara Warner of Peoria, IL and Sheryl Harper (Mike Ibeck) of Peoria, IL. The family also includes grandchildren: Jessica (Byerly) Brown, Jordan Byerly and Christopher Byerly; Glenna Fournier and Joe Fournier Jr; Laura (Zanoni) Vierneisel, Anthony Zanoni, Matthew Zanoni, Stephen Zanoni and Emily Warner; Andrew McGlothlen and Mark McGlothlen. Also, 11 great-grandchildren are surviving.
Memorials can be donated in Helen’s name to the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 ILL Rte. 91, Peoria, IL 61615.
Cremation has been accorded and a private family service will be held at gravesite, at a future date.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
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