HELEN (UZELAC) PANAYOTOVICH

Carterville–Helen (Uzelac) Panayotovich 91, of Carterville, formerly of Chicago passed away on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin.

Helen was born on August 10, 1919 in Gary, IN the daughter of Stanko and Milica (Sobat) Uzelac. She married Robert Panayotovich on February 23, 1941 in Gary, IN. He preceded her in death on November 22, 1989.

Helen was an extremely talented florist. She owned The Flower Box flower shop in Chicago for 35 years with her husband. She was a member of the St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in Lansing, the Circle of Serbian Sisters "Princess Zorka", the Serbian Social Club, and the Eastern Star, and a very active church volunteer.

She is survived by a daughter, Melanie Stefan and husband Mike of Carterville; a son Milan Panayotovich and wife Gina of Gary, IN; grandchildren, Jennifer and Ryan Stefan, and Robert Panayotovich; and 4 sister-in-laws, Violette Bundalo of Hobart, IN, Clara Uzelac of Gary, IN, Ann Uzelac of Gary, IN and Amy Uzelac of Chesterton, IN; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and 5 brothers, George, Sam, Eli, Dan, and Mitch Uzelac.

Visitation will be held at the St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in Lansing on Wednesday June 29 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. with services starting at 11:00 A.M. with Father Milos' M. Vesin. Burial will be in Oakland Memory Lane Cemetery in Dalton.

Memorials may be made to the Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin, 1901 North 13th, Herrin, IL 62948 or her church.

She will be greatly missed by family and friends.