Ethel: Royle, the musician, was a farmer. He taught music to al of his children. Together they formed the "Helle Family Band". In later years he played music with his grandchildren. Royle was one of the main attractions at the Spoon River Drive, held in Fulton County each fall. We lost Royle and his music just before the Spoon River Drive in 1979."

A grandaughters tribute: "Grandpa loved music; everything was musical -bailing hay, cherries bouncing in the bottom of a pail - it was all music to him. After all, how many people do you know who play a saw? two bows, no less! At the age of six he had me chording on the piano while he played fiddle tunes. Not too long after, Grandpa had his grandaughters performing here and there with him, for a while it was every weekend. A book could be written about the life of Royle Helle, but to simplify, he loved people and people loved him. He will long be remembered."

Royle played clarenet, piano, drums and saxophone, violin and saw. He taught guitar, banjo and accordian. Of course he always said, "I'm a fiddler, My brother Delbert is a violinist". Performing for church and comunity events gave him particular enjoyment. He tuned pianos, gave music lessons and repaired musical instruments for just a "thank you". Royle farmed on Spoon River from 1929 into the 1970's. He did some lumbering with his father and brothers from his late teens to 1925. He represented McDonough County at a state Farm Bureau meeting. He was a lifelong member of the Lee Township Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Mid Century Telephone Company. Royle graduated from Cuba High School, Cuba, Illinois and attended a few months of trade school in Chicago area and Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, IL. He traveled with a carnival one summer.

An article editorial written by Wendy Jo Martin in the Lewistown, IL paper after the death of Royle, was a tribute to a great man who touched many lives. She writes "Royle was a sharing man, and he shared his talents with his grandchildren and the tradition will be carried on by his granddaughters, Paula and Norma. But it won't be the same. There was a love in his music that I don't believe will ever be duplicated. There was a lot of love in the man." Wendy printed one of Royle's poetic letters, published in the booklet he authored, "Royle Helle, Spoon River Poet and Lois Green, Tennessee Hillbilly Poet." The book contained poetic letters written between two friends who never met in person. Royle had published the book in Lois's memory after her sudden death. In one letter, Royle wrote to Lois: "Five times the stork brought us great joy. Three times a girl and two times a boy. And now they are grown and gone away. My favorite is in her grave, so beautiful and gay. The Lord wanted her in Heaven-the people to cheer. While we down here shed many a tear. As I sit here with tears on my face, I tell you this sorrow time can not erase. I just looked out the window and what do I see, Three grandsons of mine, to visit Grandma and me. I wipe my tears and get to my feet. And go to the door, my grandsons to greet. I pick up little Stevie and I hold him tight, and all at once, the sun is shining bright. Royle Helle. Wendy Jo continues the editorial: "Now, Royle is with the one that went away, leaving the sun dull and unshining for the rest of us... I am sure if those passing through to their next Spoon River Scenic Drive destination, take a moment to stop on that now quiet country side they will hear the songs of Royle's saw- played with "two bows" at once, reverberating in thewind." (Sharon Bearce)