Published on July 21, 2026 11:22 am
Last Updated on July 21, 2026 11:25 am
Helen LaVonne (Carter) Niccum (92) died Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga.
She was born near Elliottstown, IL, on January 5, 1934, to Gordon and Oma (Smith) Carter. Helen graduated from Effingham High School and Eastern Illinois University in teacher education. She worked alongside her husband, Dr. Dwight A Niccum in his optometric practice as an optician and office manager. After his passing in 1982, she taught, substituted, and tutored for another quarter century. For many years, Helen was a manager for World Book Encyclopedias in east central Illinois. Helen was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Effingham for over fifty years. She was a founding member of the Effingham Zonta Club, was in the Effingham County Home Extension, was a 4H leader for both boys and girls, and was always willing to serve as a room mother. She also was a member of the Cedar Society at Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana.
Helen is survived by her only son, Jan Carter Niccum (Nancy) of Savoy, IL; stepdaughter, Karen Wooley (Richard) of Savoy, IL; and grandchildren, Kaleigh Anne Biederwolf (Matt) of Fishers, IN Dr. Ian Alexander Niccum (Bridget) of Appleton, WI, and Hannah Alexis Scheibel (Lucas) of Edwardsville, IL. She has five grandchildren, eleven step grandchildren, and several step-great grandchildren. Brother-in-law, Al Carson; and nieces and nephews, Vicki (Carter) Cook, Karen (Carter) Claerbout, William Carson, Doug Carson, Jeff Carson, Rhonda (Burk) McCurdy, David Burk, Mike Kinkelaar, Kay (Kinkelaar) Koerner, Lee Ann Kinkelaar, Marc Carter, Daryl Carter, Jody (Carter) Jowers, Jon Carter, and Ricky Carter.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Dr. Dwight Austin Niccum; stepchildren, Marilyn McDevitt, Gene A. Niccum, and Jeffrey A. Niccum. Her parents, Gordon Carter and Oma Smith Carter preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were siblings, Gordon Carter, Jr., Lois Carson, Martha Barker, Howard Carter, Carolyn Kinkelaar, Charles Carter, Richard Carter, and Thomas Carter.
Graveside services will be conducted by Pastor John Taliwaga, Centenary United Methodist Church, at Mount Zion Cemetery, 1.5 miles north of Eberle, IL (38.963933-88.456435 or 350th Avenue and 1900th Street) at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026. A Life Remembered Gathering will occur at Bliss Park in Effingham from 1:30 to 3:30 that afternoon. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.