Helen Davison

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Helen Davison, 81, of Johnston City, passed away at 12:55 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at her family home.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday May 15, 2009, at the Murman and Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City with Fr. Nicholas Finley officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2009, at the funeral home with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church of Royalton. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Helen was born on May 16, 1927, in Zeigler, the daughter of Peter Alexander and Katherine (Souchan) Sortal. She was married to Leon Davison on Sept. 15, 1951, in Royalton. He preceded her in death on Dec. 8, 1992.

Helen was retired from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Manpower training facility as an instructor, then later owned and operated The Pub Lounge in Johnston City. She was a member of the Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church of Royalton. She enjoyed dancing and especially spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter, Diane Puckett and husband Bill of Harrisburg; two sons, Gary Davison and wife Karen of Marion and Barry Davison of Johnston City; four grandchildren, Jason and Zachary Puckett of Harrisburg, Christopher Davison of Marion and Andrea Wade and husband Shane of Marion; three great-grandchildren, Will Puckett of Harrisburg and Conner and Hudson Wade of Marion, one brother, Mike Sortal and wife Violet of Herrin; one sister-in-law, Nadine Holt and husband Conrad of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Ann Povich; and four brothers, Charles Sortal, Harry Sortal, Steve "Bones" Sortal and John Zeb.