Helen Pheris

Helen M. Pheris, 92, died at 7:18pm on October 3, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. 

Helen was born in Greenup Illinois on January 3rd, 1933, the only child of Arthur and Bernice (Embry) Merry. Mom spent her childhood on a farm and moved to the Champaign area as a teenager.  She graduated from Champaign High School in 1951 and entered Champaign’s Business College from where she graduated in 1952. She was a 50 plus year member of The Women of the Moose organization.

She met her husband Robert Sr. (Bob) as a 17 year old.  They got married on December 1st, 1952 in the same house that they shared for 61 years. They went on to have five children, 6 granddaughters and 14 great-grandchildren. When she retired from Jewel / Eisner’s after 30 years, her and Bob were inseparable.

They spent the next decade and a half traveling and seeing the country and family. Unfortunately, she lost her soul mate, our Dad Bob on  January 12th 2013. After losing Dad her health deteriorated and she lost her eyesight, forcing her to give up a lot of her joys in life.  Mom did however remain sharp as a tack and continued to have marathon phone conversations.   She went on to live a life of contentment for another 12 ½ years.

She leaves many memories with her son Robert Pheris Jr. and daughter Becky  (Jim) Gadbury of Champaign, Her daughter Bonnie (Greg) Pruett of Saint Joseph, Grandchildren Shawn (Rich) Frost, Jennie (Joe) Modica , Jessie Whetzel, Nikki (Troy) Roberts, Kendra (Brad) Keeler and Stephanie Tatman along with her great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob,  two children, Beverly and Bernie and her great grandson Austin.

There will be a Visitation from 1:00-3:00pm on Friday, October 10 at Owens Funeral Home (101 N Elm St.) in Champaign.  The funeral service will follow at 3:00, with Reverend Mike Mack officiating. Following the funeral service, she will be cremated and her cremated remains will be buried alongside our Dad in a private service at Grandview Memorial Gardens. 

Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com

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