Helen Carnes

Helen Marie Carnes (née Grinstead), age 89, was born on October 14, 1931 in
Louisville, Kentucky to Campbell King and Nellie Marie Grinstead.  A graduate of
Ursuline Academy in Louisville, she married in 1950, moved to Indiana, eventually
residing in Cambridge City, Indiana, and in 1970 relocated to Glendale Heights, Illinois. 
She passed into eternity on February 5, 2021 in Naperville, Illinois. 
While living in Cambridge City, she worked at an insurance agency and for the
Palladium Item and Courier-Times as Cambridge City’s reporter.  She served as a Den
Mother and Girl Scout leader and was a member of the Psi Iota Xi Sorority. After
moving to Illinois, she worked as a secretary for the Village of Glendale Heights.  She
was a longtime member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, where she was involved for
many years with St. Vincent DePaul and the Council of Catholic Women. She again
served as a Girl Scout leader and taught Religious Ed to individuals with special needs.
She was an avid bridge player and loved doing crossword puzzles, sharing meals with
friends, playing the piano, attending theater productions, playing card games and an
occasional 9 holes of golf. 
She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Robert A. Carnes, her
daughter-in-law, Bonita Jean Carnes, her daughter, Dawn Marie Carnes, and brothers
John (Jack) and J. William Grinstead.
She is survived by her sons and daughters: CDR Michael A. Carnes, USN, Retired,
Sandra J. Mroczek (Roman), Kathi C. McKeown (Bruce), David R. Carnes (Rose),
seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and her
sister-in-law, Ethel Grinstead.
A memorial mass will be held at  10:00 a.m on February 11, 2021 at St. Matthew’s Catholic
Church, Glendale Heights. Burial will follow at Assumption Cemetery, Winfield. 
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Patrick’s Residence Nursing and Rehab,
1400 Brookdale Road, Naperville, Illinois or to St. Vincent DePaul, St. Matthew’s
Catholic Church, 1555 Glen Ellyn Road, Glendale Heights, Illinois. 
Her family would like to thank the caring, compassionate staff at both Belmont Village,
Carol Stream and St. Patrick’s Residence Nursing and Rehab, both of which took care
of her during her final years