Helen Highsmith Burleson

Helen Highsmith Burleson, 97, of Dixon, IL, died Friday, October 25, 2019, at Pinecrest Memory Terrace in Mt. Morris, IL. She lived at home until the last nine months. She was born on February 14, 1922, in Dundas, IL, the daughter to Everett & Sarah "Sadie" (Franklin) Upton Howe, both of whom preceded her in death. She married Randall Highsmith in June of 1941, they were happily married for 44 years, and he preceded her in death on March 20, 1985. She married Ralph Burleson in 1990, and he preceded her in death on May 19, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Andrea Fox; by her brothers, Wayne Upton and Paul Upton, by her sister, Edna & Joe Rothrock; by her brother-in-law & wife, J.D. & Zella Highsmith; by her sisters- in-law & husbands, Maxine & Bob Locke, Lena Mae & Frank Battershell, and Barbara Grahman. She is survived by her daughters & son-in-law, Patricia "Pat" & Wylie Fox (Dixon, IL) and Marilyn Millin (Dixon, IL); by her grandchildren, Amanda & Lee Evans (Naperville, IL) and Aaron Fox (Dixon, IL); by her seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth "Ellie", Lauren, Eli and Amelia Evans all of Naperville, IL, Avery, Ethan and Cooper Fox all of Dixon, IL; by her sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law, Vera & Jack Blankenbecker (Robinson, IL), Sharon & Fred Nieman (Arcola, IL), Erma Jean Williams (Lawrenceville, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews. Helen was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dixon. Helen in her free time enjoyed watching her favorite sport teams, the University of Illinois, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago Bears. She spent many winters in Florida and many summers out fishing in Minnesota. Helen's true love was spending time with her family listening to all the happenings her great grandchildren had going on. Helen will be remembered for her sense of humor but especially remembered as a loving and caring mother and grandmother. A time of visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th at Goodwine Funeral Homes in Robinson . Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 31st at the funeral home, with Pastor J.D. Branson and Harold Locke officiating the service. Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to "Jones Cemetery", "the First United Methodist Church in Dixon, IL" or "the Alzheimer's Association", with envelopes available at the funeral home.