Helen S. McGowan

Helen S. McGowan, 89, of Taylorville died at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at St. Vincent Memorial Hospital, Taylorville.

She was born December 19, 1916, in Dyersburg, Tennessee, the daughter of Cecil and Iva (Ozment) Smith. She married Roy “Speed” McGowan on May 10, 1945, in Taylorville. He preceded her in death on July 17, 1992. Helen, along with her daughter, Bev, were owners and operators of Mother Goose Day Care in Taylorville for many years. She was affiliated with the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville.

Surviving are her daughter, Bev Graham of Taylorville; son, Jim (wife Pam) McGowan of Rochester; three grandchildren David (wife Melanie) Impastato of Batavia, Misty (husband Jake) Marucco of Taylorville, and Brenan McGowan of Rochester; five great-grandchildren: Samantha, Carson and Sophia Impastato of Batavia, and Preston Claus and Cayde Schmulbach of Taylorville; two sisters: Theresa Robison of Taylorville and Marilyn (husband Bert) Land of Harvel; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother Wayne Smith, four sisters, Elizabeth Katka, Wastille Jones, Rachel Baccadutre, and Gloria Kennedy, and one great-grandson, Tysen.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 21, at Shafer Funeral Home, Taylorville, with Pastor Bob Spurgin officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Shafer Funeral Home.