Helga “Herta” Sheldon, age 87, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 3 a.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, at OSF St, Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
She was born on June 5, 1937 in Nürnberg, Germany, Daughter of Johann and Else (Kirschbaum) Meier. She married the “Love of her Life” William J. Sheldon in Frankfurt, Germany. They were inseparable for 64 years, as they were married on April 17, 1961. She will be forever in his heart.
She leaves behind many wonderful memories of time spent with her husband, “Billy” of Galesburg; She had two children, Gabriele Stewart of Ridgefield, Washington, and Michael Sheldon of Seattle, who has recently resided in Galesburg; One Granddaughter, Nichole (Todd) Graves of Ridgefield, Washington; Two Great-Grandsons; Jade Stewart and Hazen Graves both of Ridgefield, Washington; One brother, Jürgen Meier of Nürnberg, Germany; One Sister, Marlene (Adi) Eberl of Nürnberg, Germany; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one Great-Grandson, Liam Graves; Two sisters, Anneliese Adler, Therese Stewart, and one brother; Richard Meier.
Helga “Herta” as she was also known, was a homemaker who cooked many German dishes but the most famous was her perfected German Schnitzels which will never be forgotten, as family members would hide them from each other to take home later. She always had a love for jewelry and wore it very well. For many years, she enjoyed going to bingo weekly. In her earlier years in the US, she met and enjoyed spending time with German Girlfriends and her sister, “Thea”. One highlight in Helga’s life was when she met singer Tom Jones. He gave her a kiss and handed her a handkerchief, which she so carefully has kept after all of these years. Her heart never really left Germany as she made many trips back home to spend time with her family. She cleaned houses for some time when she moved here but she realized her passion was being in the home taking care of her beloved husband of almost 64 years, which he truly loved always having her right by his side!
Cremation rites will be accorded. There will be no services. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois will be assisting her husband with her wishes. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
