Helen Bernice (Thruman) Ferguson, 93, of Greenville, died peacefully on Jan. 9, 2026, at the Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hillsboro.
There will be visitation on Friday, Jan. 30, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville and at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the church with the Rev. Dwain DePew and the Rev. Matt Ferguson officiating.
Mrs. Ferguson was born on Aug. 13, 1932, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, the daughter of William Carl and Helen Mary (Pardo) Thruman, Bouillon, and Hunter. She married Donald Cary Ferguson on July 18, 1950. He preceded her in death on March 31, 2000.
Mrs. Ferguson was a member of the Greenville High School Class of 1950. She was active in God’s family, the church, for her entire life. As a child and youth, she was part of the United Methodist Church of Greenville. It was there she learned about God’s love for her and came to confess faith in Jesus as her Savior and Lord.
As an adult, Mrs. Ferguson was a member of the Reno Bethel Presbyterian Church for over twenty years before her family transferred to the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, where she was a member for over 50 years. Over her adult life she taught Sunday School, sang in choirs, was active in Bible study groups, participated in the Presbyterian Women’s Association, volunteered with Vacation Bible School, provided funeral meals, and served God in many other ways.
Mrs. Ferguson worked for the American Lung Association (the ‘Christmas Seal People’) for over 25 years, retiring as the director of the Heritage Trail Region, which covered a dozen counties in southern Illinois. She was active in Greenville’s Garden Club, sang in Sweet Adelines, helped lead a 4-H Club, and with her husband, Don, helped launch a couples’ ministry in the Donnellson area called Mariners.
Mrs. Ferguson’s greatest joy in this life, though, was her family. Her nearly 50-year marriage and their eight children, 20 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren brought her great joy and a sense of a full and abundant life.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Ferguson was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, John C. Ferguson and Thomas E. Ferguson; two sisters, Patricia Groff and Margaret Eaton; and daughter-in-law Debbie (Christian) Ferguson. Two days after Mrs. Ferguson’s death, her remaining sister, Teresa Summerlin of Fern Park, FL, also departed this life.
Mrs. Ferguson is survived by her daughters M. Kathleen Ferguson of Pflugerville, TX, Donna (Robert) Leible of St. Charles, MO, and Karen (David) Bare of Greenville; sons Stanley M. Ferguson of Greenville, Henry Matthew (Cathleen) Ferguson of Cincinnati, OH, and William (Stephanie) Ferguson of Kansas City, MO; 20 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren (and counting).
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville or the Greenville Public Library.
