Helen M. Fortney, 89, of Marietta, Georgia, formerly of Arcola and Tuscola, died on Monday, December 21, 2015.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, January 8, 2016 at the Arcola Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marietta, Georgia. Shrader Funeral Home, 204 N. Locust Street, Arcola, is in charge of local arrangements.

Mrs. Fortney was born on August 1, 1926 in Thomasboro, the daughter of Fredrick H. and Pearl Keith Maier. She married James Pickering Fortney on January 7, 1943 in Arcola; he preceded her in death on September 2, 2007.

She is survived by two sons, Jim Fortney and wife Marty of Roswell, Georgia; Don Fortney and wife Nancy of Bayside, Wisconsin; daughter, Renee Gottwald and husband Jim of Marietta, Georgia; six grandchildren, Kim Sabio, Gretchen Fortney, Dan Fortney, Eric Fortney, Karie Davis, Bryan Gottwald; three great grandchildren, Ashlyn, Brinley, and Cayla Fortney; and sister-in-law, Betty Maier of Arcola. She was preceded in death by her husband, James P. Fortney; sister, Lorene Sears; brothers, Francis and Kenny Maier, and granddaughter, Christi Gottwald.

Mrs. Fortney graduated from Arcola High School in 1944. She was employed by the Douglas County Circuit Clerk's Office where she served as Circuit Clerk for many years until her retirement. She was a former member of Forty Martyrs Catholic Church in Tuscola.

Memorials are suggested to the Douglas County Museum Association, 700 S. Main, Tuscola, IL 61953 or St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 87 Lacy St. NW, Marietta, GA 30060.

Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.hilligossshraderfh.com