Helene L. Kotarba, 77, of Wheeling, a retired factory worker at Honeywell in Palatine, died of breast cancer Monday, Feb. 18, in Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines. Mrs. Kotarba was born and raised in Chicago. She moved to Wheeling in 1956. In 1976, she began working on the assembly line at the Palatine factory of Honeywell, a diversified technology and electronics equipment manufacturer. “She was strong, independent, considerate and devoted to her family,” said her son John. “She was always helping people and taking care of them,” said her daughter-in-law Mary. Other survivors include sons Joseph and Robert; a sister, Estelle; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, followed by prayers at 9 a.m. Friday in Kolssak Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.
