Helen D. Bertagnolli

Wood River: Helen D. Bertagnolli, 82, passed away at 10am on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Alton Memorial Hospital. She was born on July 11, 1935, in Wood River, the daughter of the late Harold and Jeanette (Clapp) Kessinger. She married Norman Bertagnolli on March 26, 1954, in Bunker Hill, and he preceded her in death on May 26, 2013. Survivors include five daughters and four sons in law: Roxanne and David Redman of Cottage Hills, Dawn and Mike Phelan of East Alton, Gina and Rocky Eveans of Brighton, Lisa and Steve Sine of Bethalto, Angela Bertagnolli of St. Louis, one son: Dino Bertagnolli of Bethalto, eight grandchildren: Mira Rust and her husband: Jason, Micah Redman and his wife: Amber, Darren Phelan and his wife: Jessica, Ashley Phelan and her husband: Bo Andel, Rocky Lee Eveans and his wife: Lea, Rachel Eveans, Jada Sine, Nash Sine, eight great grandchildren: Brody, Brock, Olivia, Amelia, Rolen, Kennedy, Eli, Easton, one sister: Gale Ufert of Wood River, a sister in law: Cleda Kessinger of Dorsey, a brother in law and sister in law: Charlie and Maxine Fritz of Carlinville, many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends. Helen was formerly employed as a manager at Very Video. She was a receptionist at Elias – Smith Funeral Home in Alton for many years prior to her retirement. She was a member of Holy Angels Parish in Wood River. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step – father: Edward Clapp, her step – mother: Betty Kessinger, three brothers: Gary Kessinger, Bill Kessinger, and Dale Kessinger. In celebration of her life, memorial visitation will be from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, June 15, 2018, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River. Private family inurnment will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Riverbend Humane Society or to the American Diabetes Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.