Helen E., nee Brutto, Neff, 93, of New Athens, IL, was born on February 17, 1926, in Belleville, IL; passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at the New Athens Home for the Aged.

She was preceded in death by her parents—Walter and Cecelia, nee Wagner, Brutto; her husband of 73 years, Loraine J. “Beanie” Neff, who passed away on March 22, 2018; and one sister, Barbara Gombert.

She is survived by her children—David (Peggy) Neff of Albuquerque, NM; Daniel (Mary) Neff of New Athens, IL; Elaine (Ralph Gabellieri) Malek-Madani of Hillsborough, NC. Her grandchildren–Emelye Neff; Benjamin Neff; Simon Neff; Nathan Neff; Adam Neff. Her great grandchildren—Jonathan Neff; Cason Neff. One sister—Rose Johnson of St Louis, MO; and two brothers—Joseph Brutto of Lebanon, KY, and Jerome Brutto Of Houston, TX, and her beloved cat, Tuddy.

Helen grew up a town girl, in the village of Smithton, where her father ran a dairy collection route of the surrounding farms. She married Beanie Neff, a farm boy, on November 30, 1944, in Smithton, becoming a farm wife. Because she had helped her father on his milk truck, Helen was no stranger to hard work, and partnered in the work on the farm—milking cows, raising chickens, driving truck and tractor—while simultaneously rearing three children. She brought many home-cooked dinners to the field, always with a tablecloth on which to serve them.

There was a kitchen garden, too, and though Helen took pride in a perfect tomato or a basket of cucumbers, her real joy came from her many flowers, planted in abundance around the house and among the vegetables. When Helen began working for the US Postal Service as a rural carrier, her route customers often expressed their appreciation of her service by giving her cuttings, seeds and bulbs from their gardens; these were gifts she enjoyed year after year.

Helen’s job as a rural carrier suited her rather private personality: there was contact with co-workers and route patrons, but also long stretches of time driving alone on two-lane blacktops and gravel roads, time to watch for deer and check the wildflowers, time to blast Beethoven through the Jeep’s speakers.

After retirement, Helen and Beanie traveled; Helen was often the instigator of these excursions, and always the navigator. She studied and planned, and kept them from getting lost, whether in the US or abroad. And always there were flowers—more in retirement than ever before, in the yard, in photos, in needlework.

A raven-haired beauty whose strength and determination carried her through bad times and good until she became a white-haired great grandmother, Helen Brutto Neff had many jobs to do, and did them well. Her family, her other “flowers,” will always miss her.

Helen was a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church and the National Rural Route Carrier Association. She was also a lifelong Cardinal baseball fan, and maintained her allegiance despite competing baseball opinions within the household.

The Neff Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at New Athens Home for the Aged for their wonderful care and genuine concern.

Memorials may be made to St. Agatha School or to the New Athens Home for the Aged.

Visitation: Friends may call at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL on Monday, June 17, 2019 from 9: 00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Funeral: A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL on Monday, June 17, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Father Mark Reyling officiating.

Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements.

1. Rita Brutto says:

   06/16/2019 at 9:49 pm

   To the Neff children and Brutto siblings,

   You have been in our thoughts often during the last 14 months. We will be with you in prayers at your mother’s/sister’s funeral.

   Rita Brutto and Bill MacDonald

   Reply
   • Donna Rausch-Wilshusen says:

     06/17/2019 at 7:29 am

     Dear Dan and Mary, Dave and Elaine and families, remember so many fun times with your Mom and Dad at your farm and our home, at Sparta lake cabin, their visits to see us with Mom when we lived in NE. Playing cards, birthdays, Christmas, church activities et. She has finished her race and is back with Beanie up in heaven and with my mom and dad. Your mom and my mom are probably taking care of some flowers and veg gardens very perfectly. 💖😊 So sorry for your loss but praise God for her life and for getting to spend time with you all when we were growing up. Love and prayers, Donna Rausch-Wilshusen

     Reply
2. John & Alice Kuehn says:

   06/14/2019 at 3:03 pm

   Dave, Danny, Elaine and family,
   Our sympathy to all of you at this sad time. You will be in our prayers. Your mother sounded like one special lady.

   Reply
3. Lynn R (Henneke) Harbison says:

   06/14/2019 at 12:57 pm

   My deepest sympathy to the Neff family. My family lived down the road from your home on the Nike Site Road. Elaine and I would sit together on the
   bus when going to school. We were the Henneke family. What a sweet lady your Mom was and she will be missed by many. Elaine, I was just thinking about you a few days ago, wondering where you were at and wondering how your parents were.

   Reply
4. Jeanne Jansen says:

   06/14/2019 at 11:18 am

   My sympathy to the entire Neff family. I was so shocked when I heard this!! You all were so good to her and Beanie while they were at the Nursing Home, getting them involved in all the activities. It was a joy to watch!.

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5. Gene Wiggins NARFE Chap. 1019 says:

   06/14/2019 at 10:22 am

   Sorry For Your Loss. Please accept this electronic message in lieu of a Sympathy Card. Local National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) volunteers provide help in reporting the death of any federal civilian retiree or a retiree’s spouse to proper authorities. They will explain the process as needed and if requested, can report the death to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM 888-767-6738) for you. They can also assist in filling out claim forms for survivor benefits and life insurance You may call either of our Service Officers, Jim Haley at 618 795-5174 or Dean Hemmer at 618 233-3819. If unable to reach either, you may call Gene Wiggins at 618 566-7980.

   Reply
6. John and Mary Haubrich says:

   06/14/2019 at 6:51 am

   Sorry for your loss. I will not be able to attend church due to being gone in the morning. I believe she is in a better place with Beanie.

   Reply
7. Jim &Pam Hammel says:

   06/13/2019 at 8:33 pm

   Our deepest sympathy to the whole family.J

   Reply