Joe Helton

Joe Helton

(December 13, 1929 – June 23, 2024 )

Clarence Joseph “Joe” Helton , 94, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 9:21 a.m. Sunday, June 23, 2024, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL with Rev. Nathan Woolery officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – noon Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Helton Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL, with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Shelby County Honor Guard or to Friends of Lake Shelbyville.

Joe was born on December 13, 1929, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Fredrick and Mabel Irene (Barker) Helton.  He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1949 and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He married Darlene Mae Powers on May 6, 1956, and they have two children, David Joe and Susan Jo. Joe worked at the Oliver Corporation in Shelbyville after he returned from the service. He then began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville where he was a heavy equipment operator. Joe also enjoyed farming the family farm with his brother, Buck Helton.  He loved John Deere tractors and was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs.  Joe was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and Roy Vanderpool American Legion Post #81 both of Shelbyville, IL.

Joe is survived by his wife, Darlene; son, David J. Helton and wife Debra of Clermont FL; daughter, Susan J. Wolz and husband Steven of Glen Carbon, IL; sister, Joy Duckett of Shelbyville, IL; brother-in-law, Delbert Foelsing of Effingham, IL: sister-in-law, Glennie Helton of Ozark, MO; and three grandchildren, Deanna Nicole Lofton and husband Rodney of Davenport, FL, Olivia Wolz and Alexander Wolz both of Glen Carbon, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond “Grinny” (Carolyn), Lawrence “Dick”, Floyd “Buck” (Barbara), Noel Dean (Gloria), Dwayne Helton, and Carl Helton (Elaine); sisters, Thelma Bryson (“Podo”), Marilyn Foelsing, June Morris (J.W. “Bill”), and Bette O’Connor (Al); and brother-in-law, William “Bill” Duckett.