Helen Gillin-Cavaness, 81, of Mendota died Feb. 28, 2012, in her residence. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, with the Rev. Richard Schaill officiating. Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Dixon. There will be no visitation. She was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Omaha, Neb., to Frank and Evelyn (Hatmaker) Masinda. She married Glenn Gillin. He preceded her in death. She later married Raymond Cavaness. He preceded her in death. She was employed by Hart-Carter in Mendota where she helped design the company's logo. She retired in 1991. She was a member of Church of the Nazarene, Sauk Valley Humane Society and a supporter of Dent County Animal Shelter in Salem, Mo. She was a member of the Mendota U.S. Post Office advisory board and Modern Woodmen, receiving the fraternal community service award. She was one of the founding members of Illinois and National Wildlife Habitat Association. She is survived by three daughters, Gina Winfree (Shawn) Madden of Mendota, Glenda (Ronald) Bruins of Salem, Mo., and Gerry (Frank) Green of Earlville; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by five sons, Gordon, Gene, Gifford, Fred and Glenn Jr.; one daughter, Gaye; and one brother. Memorials may be directed to Sauk Valley Humane Society or Church of the Nazarene, Mendota.