Pearl Elizabeth Heltsley

Pearl Elizabeth (Leonard) Heltsley peacefully passed away at her home on July 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of her dear family.

Born on February 27, 1947, in Savannah, Tennessee, Pearl was the daughter of Shelby Lewis Leonard and Icie (Wilkerson) Leonard.

Pearl married Lynn R. Heltsley on July 6, 1964. Together they shared 37 years of marriage until his passing on November 5, 2001. Pearl attended the Marion Cultural Beauty College, where she earned her cosmetology license. She spent many years as a hairdresser at the Beauty Shop on Johnson Street before beginning a career as a receptionist for several physicians’ offices throughout the Marion area. She later joined the Veterans Administration Hospital, first serving as a ward clerk before being promoted to the accounting department. Following her retirement, Pearl devoted herself to caring for her father, a responsibility she accepted with love and dedication.

Family was the center of Pearl’s world. She was always present for her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family, faithfully attending their activities and celebrating every milestone. If a loved one or friend became ill, Pearl was often the first to arrive at the hospital and the last to leave. She even kept a travel bag packed, ready at a moment’s notice to accompany family members needing medical care away from home. She was truly the “big sister” to everyone, never missing her nightly phone calls or stopping by after work just to check on those she loved.

Pearl found joy in cooking for her family, tending to her pecan trees, flower gardens, and vegetable garden, listening to country music, and simply sitting back to watch her grandchildren play. She was a longtime member of the Paulton Trinity Faith Church until the church building was demolished several years ago.

She leaves behind her loving daughter, Cheryl (Shawn) Davis; grandchildren, Ashley (Aaron) Petersen and Brayden L. Davis; great-grandchildren, Kinsley L. Petersen, Gracelyn P. Petersen, and Bentley R. Petersen; sisters, Patricia A. Parton, Marie A. Spiller, Wilma D. Gill, and Linda (Keith) Vandiver; brother, Charles M. (Chris) Leonard; nieces and nephews Beth A. McNeill (Dan), Beverly Brown, David Parton, Michael Parton, Brittany Gill, Lonnie Vandiver, Jennifer Lockard, Jimmy Lockard, many great-nieces and great-nephews, other beloved relatives, and many dear friends.

Pearl was preceded in death by her parents; her grandmothers; her beloved husband, Lynn Heltsley; her son, Shelby “Ebby” Heltsley; her step-grandson, Justin M. Davis; brothers, J.C. Wilkerson, Johnny Leonard, and Shelby E. Leonard, James Earl Leonard; sister, Icie Faye Leonard; brothers-in-law, Harold D. Parton, Wendell G. Heltsley, Terry L. Guill, Allen L. Spiller, and along with other cherished relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Blue Funeral Home under the direction of Binkley-Ross. Visitation will be held Monday, July 27, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Blue Funeral Home, 1704 North Court Street, Marion, Illinois. Funeral services will begin at 12:00 noon with Pastor Daniel Kinsey officiating. Interment will follow beside her beloved husband at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Paulton.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.binkley-ross.com to share condolences and memories with Pearl’s family.