Darlene Marie Evans, nee Frick, 83, of Helotes, Texas, formerly of Cahokia, Illinois, born October 9, 1939 in Red Bud, Illinois, died Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Main Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Darlene was a hard working woman as she was the proud owner/operator of E and H Insurance and a realtor for Chuck Baer Realty in Cahokia, IL. She just recently retired from Chuck Baer Realty in 2019 at the age of 80. Darlene was a woman of faith and a member of the former Maplewood Park Baptist Church. She was a "people person" and was active in many clubs, some to include the Rotary Club, the Women of the Moose, and the Business and Professional Women, all of Cahokia, IL. Darlene was also a former member of the Commonfields of Cahokia Water District Board. She loved to travel on cruises and enjoyed reading books. Darlene was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will most be remembered for her smile, heart-felt conversations with a coffee in her hand, but most of all for her generosity to always help someone in need. Darlene will be deeply missed!

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Marvin "Earl" Evans; her second husband, James "Ray" Cooper; a son, Dennis Evans; her parents, Herman and Hazel, nee Mines, Frick;; and a brother-in-law, Virgil Hallberg.

Surviving are her daughter, Debbie (Dennis) Chaput of Helotes, TX ;a daughter-in-law, Caitlin Evans of Homestead, FL; a sister, Joann Hallberg of Waterloo, IL;; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Evans, Sal Macaraig, Catrina Macaraig, Denise Evans, Amy (Marcus) Garcia, Stacey (Chris) Reyes, Jason (Brandi) Chaput, and Joshua (Kelli) Chaput; and 11 great grandchildren, Gabriel, Emma, Madison, Lilian, Austin, Taylor, Jacob, Kaden, McKenna, Brighton, and Liam. She was also a dear aunt, cousin, and friend.

Condolences may be expressed online at braunfh.com.

Friends may visit from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 6, 2023 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Illinois.