Darlene Elaine Mihelcic, nee Nelson, 86, daughter of William and Mary Dragovich Nelson, born in Harrison, Arkansas on September 14, 1930 passed away in her home Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 4:10 P.M. after a short illness. Darlene graduated from Rantoul, IL High School in 1948 asValedictorian. She attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Champaign, IL, and graduated as a Registered Nurse. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Henry Mihelcic, two sons, David Mihelcic(Ginger) of Ashburn, VA, and Peter Mihelcic of Fairview Heights, A daughter-in-law, Tina Mihelcic of Eureka, Mo. five grandchildren , Virginia Butler(Nicholas), Ezekiel Mihelcic, Julia Mihelcic, Samuel Mihelcic, all of Ashburn, VA, and Matthew Henry Mihelcic of Eureka, MO. Also a great granddaughter, Ella Virginia. She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Steven Mihelcic of Eureka, MO, her parents, William and Mary Dragovich Nelson and only sibling, William Nelson.
On April 18 1960, she married Henry Mihelcic at Beale AFB, California , thereby assuming the role of military wife, accompanying her husband in all assignments in the Strategic Air Command, bearing and raising 3 children, all boys, along the way. Upon the retirement of her husband from the Air Force in 1976, the family settled in Belleville. Darlene reinstated her Illinois Nurses license and obtained employment at Memorial Hospital, serving as the evening shift charge nurse on the oncology floor until her retirement in 1995. During this period, she proved to be an outstanding nurse gaining the admiration and respect of her associates including doctors involved in day to day operations. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling and winter vacations in southern climes in a motor home and also visiting relatives and old military acquaintances all over the country. She was a devoted member of Cathedral Parish in Belleville, Il. On four occasions , Darlene fought and defeated several types of cancer over the years but in the end lost the final battle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 12 Noon Friday, June 16, 2017 at St. John Paul II Catholic Church 705 East Main Street Mt. Olive, Illinois conducted by Father Larry Anschutz. A Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 11:45 A.M. at the Becker & Son Funeral Home 221 South Poplar Street Mt.Olive, Illinois. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Mt. Olive, Illinois. A lunch for family and friends will be served by the Altar & Rosary Society following the burial in the St. John Paul II parish hall.
Memorials may be given to Calvary Cemetery, Mt. Olive, Illinois, online condolences can be sent to beckerandson.com.

Visitation

Friday, June 16, 2017
10:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Becker & Son Funeral Home
221 South Poplar Street
Mt. Olive, IL 62069

Funeral Service

Friday, June 16, 2017
12:00 PM

St. John Paul II Catholic Church
705 East Main Street
Mt. Olive, IL 62069