Helen V. Muir

Helen V. Muir, 92, of Rockford IL passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, in her apartment at Charter Senior Living. Helen was born January 31,1933 in Monroe County, Iowa at home on the family farm to Lowell Edward and Esther Louise (Young) Turner. Her family moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa where she graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1951. She met the love of her life, William S. Muir, in 1948 after his family immigrated from Scotland. They were married in Oskaloosa on January 4, 1952, and were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage before he died in 2002.

Helen worked various jobs over the years helping to support their family. Her amazing bookkeeping skills were used at grain elevators, car dealerships, the office at the grade school her boys attended (Taft Elementary, Harvey IL), Christ United Methodist Church Preschool, and as a Church Secretary. She also volunteered at Christ United Methodist Church working in the office. But the role that defined her and gave her the greatest joy was that of Pastor’s Wife – an uncalled, unpaid, but most rewarding life. She was the perfect complement to Bill as they pastored Nazarene Churches in West Lebanon IN, Kokomo IN, Winamac IN, Crawfordsville IN, Harvey IL, Lansing IL, Emporia KS, Crystal Lake IL, Oak Park IL, and the United Methodist Church in Pardeeville WI. For over 40 years they worked together serving churches, forming relationships, and ministering to their congregations. Helen played the piano and organ, sang, taught Sunday School, directed Vacation Bible School, and anything else where there was a need. Her greatest skill was getting to know the people, their stories, their families, and keeping track of everyone. She formed lifelong friendships in each city they lived.

Bill and Helen loved to travel both in the States and visiting his home country of Scotland. She was able to visit her 50th state (Oregon) in her 90th year, as well as travel to Europe in 2007 and 2013. She was the Scrabble Queen teaching her kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids how to play. Even at age 92, she kept up with her family via Facebook, email, and texting. Her last nine years were spent living at Charter Senior Living where she treated the staff as if they were members of her extended family.

She is survived by her three children and spouses – Cindy and Steve Kentner of Byron IL, Craig and Carol Muir of Sugar Grove IL, and Scott and Marilyn Muir of Lawrenceville GA. The greatest joy of her life was being “Mimi” to her five grandchildren and their spouses – Amy and Jesse Nolan of Chicago IL, Ciara and Scott Warner of Rockford IL, Donald and Macy Muir of Lawrenceville GA, Brianna Michelle Muir of Lawrenceville GA, and Amanda and Skyler Muir of St. Paul MN. Her great-grandchildren Arlo and Macallister Nolan, Brody and Brecken Warner, Aurora and Willow Carbone, and Reign DelaRosa were the greatest delight in her life.

Also survived by nieces and nephews Virginia Folsom, Lee Turner, Rosanne Shepherd, Ron Turner, Cheryl Carlson, Anita Hughes, Stephanie Gibson, Sasha Kamper, Wendi Denham, and sister-in-law, Lynn Muir. She also had treasured relationships with her godson, Jeremy Wright and bonus daughter, Joann Ellis Whitesell.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brothers and their wives Cloyd L. and Louise Turner, Donald G. and Elaine Turner, her brothers-in-law Steve and Betty Muir, and Alastair Muir.

She had many cherished friends and was “Mom” to her children’s friends, and Mimi to her grandchildren’s friends. We are grateful to the staff at Charter Senior Living for loving and caring for our Mom.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, Rockford IL 61107. A memorial service officiated by Rev. Caleb Hong will follow at 2:30 pm at the Church. Cremation arrangements were made with Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, and a private burial will be held at a later date in Arlington Memorial Park in Rockford IL.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to her family. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.