Eileen M. (Helding) Celeste

Surrounded by her loving family, Eileen M. Celeste, age 85, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center. Eileen was born in Kansasville, WI, April 22, 1927, daughter of the late Hardy and Ella (Nee: DeGroot) Helding.

Eileen was a graduate of Union Grove High School “Class of 1944.” On September 11, 1948, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Ernest Celeste. During World War II she was employed by the United States Navy and retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company after twenty years of service. Eileen was a longtime member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church and Altar Society, and member of Metropolitan Life Insurance “20 Year Club.” An avid Cubs fan, Eileen also enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting, sewing and her trips to the casino. More than anything she cherished time with her family. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of sixty-three years, Ernest; her children, Barbara (Ken) McCloskey, John (Wendy) Celeste, Mark (Julie) Celeste, Christine Wenzel; twelve grandchildren;  one great-granddaughter; sisters-in-law, Beverly Arndt, Eleanor Schroeder; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Frances Ann; her granddaughter, Crystal Rose; and sisters, Betty Lasko and Kathleen Swatek.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 18, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 3100 95th St., with Rev. Paul L. Raczynski officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the church from 10 a.m.. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Memorials to St. Sebastian Catholic Church have been suggested.

A special thank you to the staff at Wheaton Franciscan 2D for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888