Carl E Helton

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Rev. Ron Newman and Rev. Jim Hubner officiating. Visitation from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Gideon’s International.

Mr. Helton was born on June 2, 1933 in Middlesworth, IL, the son of Fred and Mabel Irene Barker Helton. He graduated from Windsor High School in the Class of 1951. He was a U. S. Army veteran, serving in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Carl worked for Caterpillar Inc. in Decatur until his retirement in 1986. He enjoyed playing fast pitch softball and was both a player and manager for the Shelbyville Merchants for many years. Carl helped with the building of the First Baptist Church, Free Methodist Church, Church of God and Assembly of God Church all in Shelbyville and the New Life Community Church in Pana, where he attended. He loved birds and was presented the Kellogg’s Award at the National Cage Bird Show for the “Best Cockatiel” in 1991 and again 1998. Carl also enjoyed raising Japanese Koi Fish in his backyard pond and growing Japanese Bonsai Trees. He married Elaine Cole on January 25, 1953.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; son, Steven Helton and wife Beverly of Orange, TX; brothers, Joe Helton and wife Darlene of Shelbyville, IL, Noel Dean Helton and wife Gloria of Windsor, IL and Dwayne Helton and wife Glennie of Ozark, MO; sisters, June Morris of Neoga, IL, Bette O’Connor of Milford, MI and Joy Duckett and husband William of Shelbyville, IL; brothers-in-law, Delbert Foelsing of Effingham, IL and Jake Cole and wife Carol of Shelbyville, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lisa Anne Helton; brothers, Raymond “Grinny”, Lawrence “Dick” and Floyd “Buck” Helton; sisters, Thelma Bryson and Marilyn Foelsing; and brother-in-law, Richard Cole.

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