Helen Maxine Schamberger, age 88, of Stockton, IL passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Monroe Hospital. She was born June 7 ^th , 1934 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Clifford and Mildred Stone. She grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Wilson High School in 1952.  Her work ethic and determination started at her first job as a switchboard operator at a telephone company. She attended Coe College and this would be where she would meet her husband, Gene during biology class. They were married soon after on June 4 ^th , 1953. Gene enlisted in the Army and they were soon on their way out to Colorado Springs, Colorado where Helen worked as a receptionist at Colorado College. She had their first-born son, Mike, here before moving back to Stockton in 1955.

Helen has always been a very strong, business minded woman. Most notably, she was a co-owner of Schamberger Truck Service for forty years.  During this time, she also owned a restaurant and ice cream shop in Mount Carroll called the Mr. Chipper for 10 years. Later, she was also a part owner and general manager of the Country Inn and Suites for 14 years (2003-2017).

Helen loved to garden and always had a stash of chocolate chip cookies on her counter. She could make a meal for 25+ people within just a couple hours and loved to collect and share recipes. She loved to be around family and rarely missed any of her grandkids' activities.

Helen was an active member of the community. She served on the village board for 8 years, the county board for 6 years, and was a board member of the Blackhawk Hills RC&D.

She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Schamberger.

She is survived by her husband, Gene; her brother, Jack (Shirley) Stone of Omaha, NE; her children, Bill (Susan) Schamberger of Stockton, Sharon Schamberger of Rockford, IL, Nancy (Dan) Gille of Madison, WI, Kay (Dennis) Oppold of Stockton, and her daughter in law, Lynn McCourt, of Fort Morgan, CO. Her grandchildren: Darin Oppold, Stephanie (Justin) Polster, Evan Meyer, Kellie (Zach) Steffen, Lana Schamberger, Courtney Schamberger, Kalli (Eric) Offenheiser, Grady Schamberger, Wade Schamberger, Cole Schamberger, Colin Meyer, Derek Gille, and Olivia Clise.

She would agree that her most beloved hobby and most honorable role in this life was being a great- grandma to 12 great grand-children. No matter her health, her spirits were always lifted when she heard the little pitter patter of her great grandchildren's feet when they entered her home.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton. There will be a celebration of life at the Woodbine Bend Golf Course from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date in Ladies Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established.