Helen Jean (Mangrum) Burk, 86, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 11:28 pm January 16, 2022 at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon with her loving family by her side.

Helen was born October 20, 1935 in Springfield, Tennessee to the late William and Lena (Hamsley) Mangrum. Helen married Arnold Ralph Burk on August 26, 1951 in Mount Vernon. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on March 12, 2015.  Helen is survived by her children, Clarence “Gary” Burk and wife Dawn, Arnold “Eddie” Burke and wife Eleanor, Michael Burk and wife Carol, Jeffrey Burk and wife Linda, Anthony “Tony” Burk and wife Danya, James (Jimbo) Burk and wife Heidi, Carolyn Combs and husband Jim, Cheryl Ashworth and husband Jack, Teri Bradford and husband Jeff, Saundra “Sandie” Burke and special friend Dean Hardig, Rhonda Pierce and husband Jeffrey; 44 grandkids; 81 great-grandkids; and several great-great-grandkids and one brother Albert (Bud) Mangrum of Phoeniz, Arizona.In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by her siblings, Mildred Erwin, Inez Cross, Margaret Groves, Raymond Mangrum, Randy Mangrum, Ed Mangrum. Helen was known in the community as a wonderful seamstress. She did many alterations, designed and made pageant dresses, cheerleading outfits and many more things. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home with Reverend Travis Hayes and Mr. Elijah Burk officiating. Interment will follow at South Hickory Hill Cemetery in Mount Vernon. Memorials may be made in Helen’s honor to the American Heart Association. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.