Sister Helene Schneider, OSF, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis died on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 3:55 a.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL. She was 98.

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 was a 1955 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She also received a beautician certificate from the Streator School of Beauty Culture and a certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education from St. John’s Hospital.

She served in various nursing roles at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, and Home Nursing for the Alverna Home Nursing Center in Chicago, IL. Sister 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 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. with a wake service at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at St. Francis Convent, 4849 LaVerna Road, Springfield, IL.

The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Jim Thomas from 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.

The Franciscan Sisters and family of Sister Helene are being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.

Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.