Helen Bastas Frank's Obituary
Helen Bastas Frank, formerly of Peoria, IL, has completed her life journey as she fell asleep in the Lord’s arms at 2:22 A.M. on Saturday, May 10, 2014, in Fairhaven Christian Nursing Home with her husband and daughter by her side.
Services to celebrate Helen’s life will be Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with Fathers George Pyle and Anthony Tzortis officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 13, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home with the Trisagion Service at 7:00 P.M. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Decatur IL, St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church of Springfield, IL, or All Saints Greek Orthodox Church of Peoria, IL. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Helen was born November 16, 1927 in Peoria, IL, the daughter of Spero P. and Anna Mexis (Zaganiaris) Bastas. While residing in Peoria, she worked for the Peoria School District as a secretary at what was then named Roosevelt Junior High School. She also served as organist of her home church, All Saints Greek Orthodox Church of Peoria, IL. In Decatur, she was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church where she served with the Ladies Philoptochos Society. She also served on the PTA at E.J. Muffley School and worked beside her husband as a secretary and cashier in the family business: East Side Star Market. But her mainstay and passion in life was her family. No one and nothing was ever more important to her than caring for her husband, her beloved son and daughter and later her four precious grandsons. She raised her children with unyielding and unconditional love and pride and always exclaimed how that love more than doubled for each grandson and great grandchild. Dedicated to her Orthodox Christian beliefs and faith in God, she loved and lived by example going above and beyond every challenge to always provide infinite love and care for her loving husband and family. She was homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother and great-grandmother extraordinaire.
Helen married Peter W. Frank of Decatur on November 18, 1951. She leaves behind her husband, son, Captain William P. Frank and wife Nanette of Alexandria, Va., daughter Annette E. F. (Nolte) Phillips and husband Robert R. Phillips, as well as former and dear son-in-law, David A. Nolte and wife Claudia all of Decatur, grandsons, LCDR. William P. Frank III and wife Laura of Hanford, Ca., Lt. Patrick D. Frank of Meridian, Miss., Christopher L. Nolte and wife Catherine of Chicago, IL., Nicholas P. Nolte and wife Elizabeth of Moline, IL., great grandson, Noah Frank, and great granddaughters, Morgan and Payton Frank and Genevieve and Serenity Nolte. As well, she leaves behind special cousins, Spero Margaris of Tampa, Florida and Denysia Bastas and Bob Bastas of Springfield, IL., brother -in- law, Jerome W. Frank, niece Penny C. Frank and nephew William J. Frank and cherished God-son, Nick Xamis. She is received in eternal rest by her loving parents, her beloved Aunt Denysia Bastas Margaris as well as beloved uncles and special cousin Eva Margaris Potesanos.
With heartfelt gratitude, the family of Helen B. Frank wishes to acknowledge and commend Dr. Richard Fritz, and Dr. Doug Shroyer and most importantly, all the wonderful nurses, aides and caregivers at Fairhaven Christian Nursing Home, Decatur, IL, as well as the medical and pastoral caregivers from Safe Haven Hospice Care for the spiritual love and compassionate caring you provided for Helen. You maintained her dignity with patience and TLC as you eased her into her final rest. God bless you all for your talents and efforts.
In our hour of need, we have been extremely blessed to have the love and support of family members, church family and dear friends from near and far who have compassionately prayed for us and especially for Helen. We also are incredibly blessed by Fr. David Eynon of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Decatur, IL, Fr. George Pyle of St. Anthony’s, Springfield, IL, Rev. Dr. Ellen Moma of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Blue Mound, IL, and personal and special family friend, Rev. Dr. Aloysius Ndeanaefo of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Robinson, IL for ministering to our spiritual needs and the spiritual needs of our dear wife and mother, Helen.
To my Precious Mother, my Sister, my Best Friend, my Confidante, with all my love, with all my gratitude, I honor you and if I have achieved any successes in life, I claim that all I ever have hoped to be and all that I became, I owe to you. You will forever be my heart, my soul, my kindred spirit, my dearest love, until I see you again. Your loving daughter, Annette
Obituary written by: Annette E. F. Phillips and Capt. William P. Frank.
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