Willabelle M. Heilman, 101, of South Beloit, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Fair Oaks Health Care Center. Born on July 22, 1924, in South Beloit, she was the daughter of Paul and Olga (Schmid) Youngwith. A 1942 graduate of South Beloit High School, Willabelle worked as a cook at The Royal and several restaurants in downtown Beloit. She was first married to Robert Carl Hannawell Sr. and later to Arthur Heilman, who predeceased her in 1995.
Willabelle found joy in fishing, gardening, knitting, canning, and cooking. She loved gambling and going out to eat with her family. Known for her great sense of humor, she was a jokester who delighted in telling off-color stories. She cherished her time with the Heilman family, who warmly embraced her in return.
She is survived by her children, Dennis A. Hannawell and Christine (Randall) Oldenburger; three grandchildren, Shari (Ricardo) Bouche, Melissa (Christopher) Sieder, and Megan (Nathan) Collier; five great-grandchildren, Vanessa and Gabrielle Bouche, Kylie and Evan Sieder, and Nolan Collier; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
Willabelle was predeceased by her parents, her sons Robert Hannawell Jr. and Brian Anthony Hannawell, and her 11 siblings. She will be laid to rest in Floral Lawn Cemetery in South Beloit.
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