Helen Marguerite McClain Pavlak passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025 at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Il surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on April 30, 1935 in Post Oak, Il to Arthur Lee McCain and Mary Vivian Smyth McClain. In 1951 she married William Joseph Pavlak in Osceola, Ark and they built a life filled with Family, friendship and Love.

Helen worked several years for Loudon Pipeline in Pana, Il. before moving to Clinton, Il in 1970. For 32 years she served as Guidance Secretary at Clinton Junior High School, touching countless lives with her warmth and kindness.

A talented artist, she painted in oils for more than 70 years and found joy in crafts, quilting, and cooking. A devoted reader, she often finished two books a week and was always seeking a new story to dive into, frequently borrowing books from friends to satisfy her love of reading. With an artist’s eye for beauty, she built winding garden pathways from the older bricks in town from several older buildings in Clinton. Each spring her garden came alive in a burst of color, with peonies and Siberian irises heralding her favorite season.

She is survived by her daughter Lindy Jackson of Clinton, Il., grandson Justin Thomas Wilson; great-grandson Clint Thomas Wilson; sisters Nancy Mac Tavish of Hawley, Tx and Susan Tidwell of Wagner, Ok; along with 2 nieces and 3 nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William Joseph Pavlak, son James Patrick Pavlak, brother Carl McClain, sister Rosemary Zuberi and nephew Kerry Boone. Helen will be deeply missed by her family, friends and coffee groups she dearly loved.

She was 50-year member of Beta Sigma Phi and an active member of the Clinton United Methodist Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Clinton United Methodist Church, Clinton, Il. On March 27 th , 2026 at 11 am., with visitation beginning at 10:00 am.