Helen Ernestine Crabtree

Helen Ernestine (Tina) Crabtree, 95, of Pontiac and formerly of Cropsey passed peacefully at her home at 2:34 am, Thursday, June 25, 2026.

Tina was born to Edd & Eula (King) Perkins in Cumberland County Kentucky on January 8, 1931. She married James Evert Crabtree on February 12, 1949 in Tompkinsville Kentucky. He preceded her in death on May 3, 2011.

Survivors include, four daughters: Diane Graves – Pontiac IL, Debra Foulks – Florida, Denise (Lonnie) Hish – Lakewood CO and Donna (Mike) Comens – Pontiac IL.

Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Tricia Ward, Todd (Amy) Ward, Corey (Christina) Pomon, TJ (Katherine) Foulks, Mike Hish, Adam Hish and Ross (Angelica) Ward, Elise (James) Comens, and Jasmine (Charles) Comens, 7 great grandchildren and 3 great great Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by an infant son, James Dennis Crabtree, grandson Jack Daniel Pomon, sister Eddaline Elliott, brother Elton Perkins and son in law Dave Graves.

Tina and Evert opened C & L Service, Cropsey IL in October 1966. The name was later changed to Crabtree Service in 1970 and operated until retirement. Tina took care of bookwork, ran for parts, stocked the candy case and anything else that was needed to keep the business going with Evert.

She was a Cook at Westview Elementary School in Fairbury IL for 26 years. Twenty of those years she was Head Cook. That was a job she truly loved!

She was also a longstanding Member of the Cropsey United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, helped with their Food Pantry and sat on numerous committees (too many to name them all!). For many years she was also a member of the Cropsey Women’s Club.

Tina opened her home to everyone that stopped and then insisted on feeding them! She loved to tend to her garden and her flowers, sew, cook, quilt and crochet! The Crabtree porch was always filled with friends, family and neighbors – Always!

In her later years she became quite the avid puzzler and would shout out a WOOHOO when a hard one got done!

Tina loved the Lord and her family beyond all else. She led by example on how to be a good Christian, a loving and sacrificing Mother, a true friend, a wonderful wife all while having a heart of gold. She is loved beyond words….

Visitation will be 4:30 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 10:00 to 11:00 am Thursday, July 2, 2026 at the United Methodist Church, Cropsey. Her memorial service will be at 11:00 am Thursday also at the church. Inurnment will be in Cropsey Twp. Cemetery at a later date.

Thank you to the Pontiac EMTs, Fire Department, OSF St James staff and OSF Hospice for the care and kindness you showed our mother during her time of transition.

Family suggested memorials could be made to the Cropsey Community Fund or OSF Hospice in Tina’s honor.