Helen Elizabeth Sorgen Deniston

Helen Elizabeth Sorgen Deniston, 90, widow of George Deniston, passed away Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky. Born in St. Louis, Missouri she was the daughter of the late Ernest W. and H. Lucille Taylor Sorgen. Helen devoted her life to her family, church, and community.

Due to her tireless volunteerism, Helen was honored with the Inspiring Woman of Achievement Award and was named Carbondale's Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Helen worked to preserve the history of Carbondale, Illinois. She conducted voluntary speaking engagements and tours of her community's historic sites. Helen was a member of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Carbondale for seventy-eight years where she served as the church historian and countless other roles.

After Helen moved to Lexington, she cherished her Carbondale connections with Beta Sigma Phi sisters, Class of 1951 classmates, PEO members, and the FUMC Morning Circle. In Lexington, she attended St. Luke Church and Best Friends Adult Day Center.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Barbara Deniston, and Elizabeth (Bruce) Maize; her son, William (Leah) Deniston; her grandsons, Philip (Cathleen) Beckmann, and Jake Deniston; two great-grandchildren, Devereaux Beckmann, and Frances Beckmann; and her brother Paul (Nancy) Sorgen.

A burial service at the Deniston Family plot in the Carbondale Oakland Cemetery will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 1:00 pm. Following the burial, Helen's family invites her friends and family to attend a reception in her honor at the First United Methodist Church from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

First United Methodist Church at 214 W. Main St., Carbondale IL 62901

St. Luke Church, Lexington, KY at www.stlukelex.com

Best Friends Adult Day Center, Nicholasville, KY at https://bridgepointe.christiancarecommunities.org/adult-day-center/

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Helen, visit www.meredithfh.com.