By Doug Spencer
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    • Service

      Memorial Service

      10:00 a.m.

      Friday May 26th, 2023

      Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.

    • Full Obituary

      Loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother Helene Malone, 81, of Albion, IL, passed away at her home with her daughter by her side in the early morning hours of Monday May 8th, 2023. She was born to Walter and Florence Emeline Kotula November 8th, 1941, in Chicago Illinois. She graduated from St Mary of Perpetual Help High School in 1959.

      She married the love of her life Larry Stone in 1961, they had two children Larry in 1963 and Nancy in 1964. She became a widow in 1966 after a tragic motorcycle accident. She eventually remarried to Paul Malone and they had a daughter Shannon in 1970. The family relocated to Albion Illinois in 1976. She retired from Champion Labs after 29 years in April of 2010.

      She loved her country, was very patriotic, as was her Kotula family. Five members of the Kotula family served in the Military at the same time, they were known as the Fighting Kotulas.
      She supported a lot of organizations through her donations including Wounded Warriors, Help Heal Veterans, Wildlife Conservation Organizations, St Jude Children's Hospital and Shriners.
      She loved being able to just get in the car and go go go especially out to eat, she was a regular customer at Knappmart where everyone knew her as Granny. She also loved Mandy's in Grayville and afterwards would go to the river to feed the birds her leftover toast. She loved watching game shows, old movies, Country Music Awards, working crossword puzzles and spending time with her family.

      Survivors include one son Larry Stone of Albion, two daughters Nancy Willis of Albion, Shannon (Scott) Kelsey of Evansville Ind, stepdaughter Delana (Chuck) Romanenko of Avon Ind. Grandchildren Cody (Samantha) Stone, Jessica (Nickolas) Jester, Tyler and Amber Willis of Albion, Samuel and Silas Kelsey of Evansville Ind, Mikka and Dana Romanenko of Indianapolis Ind. Great-grandchildren Waylon Trost, Onyx Jester, Sophia Clore, Jaxton Stone and lil Scarlett due in August all of Albion, and one Loyal and Faithful dog Gunner and her cat with no name.

      Proceeded in death by her parents Walter and Florence Emeline Kotula her sister Nancy, brothers Michael and David Kotula and her husband Larry Stone.

      In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior project.

      Memorial Service:  10:00 a.m., Friday May 26th, 2023, Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.

      Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.

       

       

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    2 Condolences
     
    1. Joseph buttice / May 23, 2023 at 12:55 pm

      Loved my cousin and had a chance to video chat with her recently….great to see her again…she will be missed by many and loved by many….may you Rest In Peace cuz….love you…….Joe

    2. Joseph P Kotula / February 1, 2024 at 10:01 am

      Hello, I’m Joe Kotula, the son of Joseph and Helen Kotula. My dad served his country in World War II,
      and I remember Walter and Emmy from the Christmas parties at Uncle Bob and Aunt Gene Hanley
      in Oak Lawn every Christmas – 10123 is all I can remember of that address.
      My dad, Joe Kotula, also, like me, called “Joey” growing up, would always go to talk with his brothers
      about things, and all the aunts would talk to each other sharing stories, I imagine.
      I only remember Uncle Walter once, and I only have a vague memory of his wife, Emily (not sure of the
      spelling. I can see the resemblance of my aunt Emmy in Helene’s face, she definitely looks a lot like
      Aunt Emmy.
      Please accept my sympathy on the passing of Helene.
      Love, Joe Kotula

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