Sheldon Helle

The Funeral Card

Savanna, Illinois

Sheldon L. Helle, age 83, of Savanna, Illinois, died Saturday, January 25, 1997 in his home. Funeral services for Sheldon will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 1997 at the First Presbyterian Church in Savanna with Reverend Greg Albert officiating. Burial will be in the Savanna Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m. Monday, January 27, at the church. A memorial fund has been established in Sheldon's name.
Sheldon was born in Cuba, Illinois on Tuesday, November 25, 1913 to George and Ida Lodema (Kaler) Helle. He married Hazel N. Hendrick May 11, 1935 in Louisiana, Missouri. Hazel died July 15, 1989 in Clinton, Iowa. He then married Mary Bernice (Barler) Helle July 27, 1991 in Ottawa, Illinois. Sheldon owned and operated Wood Products in Savanna for forty-six years. He also developed the Helle Addition and the Big Elm Mobile Home Park.
Sheldon served on the Chestnut Park School Board and the Savanna High School Board for many years. He was a member of the Savanna Zoning Commission and the Savanna City Council for twelve years. Sheldon also served on the Big Meadows Development Board. Helle Park in Savanna was named after him since he had donated the land for the original swimming pool. Sheldon was a member of the Savanna Lions Club where he served two terms as president, the Savanna Moose Lodge #1095, and a past member of the Savanna Rotary Club.
Sheldon had a great many interests. Among them were storytelling, writing, traveling, studying the family history and reading. He was a great history buff. Sheldon also enjoyed socializing with everyone. He was a car and truck enthusiast.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Bernice of Savanna; two daughters, Louise (Konrad) Radke of Savanna and Lorraine McMunn of Dixon, Illinois; one son, Harley V. Helle of Savanna; three step-daughters, Marigail (Leonard) Roberts, Linda (Edward) Partak and Sandra Jeanne (James) Gebhardt, all of Ottawa, Illinois; one stepson, Robert (Carol) Helle of Williamsburg, Iowa; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, thirteen step-grand-children and eight step great-grandchildren; three brothers, Joe (Henrietta) Helle of Cuba, Illinois, Walter Helle of Savanna, and Harley "Gene" Helle of New London, Missouri.
Sheldon was preceded in death by wife, Hazel; one son, Lyle R. Helle; three sisters and seven brothers; one grandson; and one step-granddaughter.

KEITH M. MERRICK CO., INC. PRINTED IN THE USA NO. 652W

PSALM 121

I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee front all evil, he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time
forth, and even for evermore.

In Memory Of
Sheldon L. Helle
Tuesday, November 25, 1913 - Saturday, January 25, 1997

Services
Visitation:    6-8:00 p.m. Monday, January 27, 1997
Funeral:    10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 1997
First Presbyterian Church    Savanna, Illinois

Minister
Reverend Greg Albert
First Presbyterian Church    Savanna, Illinois

Eulogist
Verle Helle

Music
Gloria Miner, Organist    Patricia Helle, Soloist

Pallbearers
Joe Helle    Travis Houzenga    James Helle
Ryan Radke    Robert Roberts    Preston McMunn

Interment
Savanna Township Cemetery    Savanna, Illinois

Services Provided By Law-Jones Funeral Home

In 1935, Delbert, Walter and Sheldon operated a Sawmill in Galena, moving it to Dubuque, Iowa in 1940. Sheldon and Walter operated a sawmill in Savanna, IL from 1940-1986. Sheldon wrote: "I was a lively kid and got into more than my share of troubles... too many to relate here. However, an example of my first swimming lesson, I was fishing off of the end of a homemade diving board and fell asleep. Wakened when I landed in the water, my choice was clear and I swam." Gail Helle: "We had to watch Sheldon because if we were discussing changes or about doing something, we had to talk low or Sheldon would have it done before we even knew if we had a good idea. All in all, I have really enjoyed my relationship with Sheldon and Walt from all the years I have worked with them. What a privilege it has been to work with and be with these two guys. It has been fun." Lorraine: "When growing up, I had fourteen uncles. Quite an honor I felt, and I had my favorites but never in a lifetime have I ever wished for any father other than my own dear "Popper." I know him well, his virtues and his faults. I suppose my mother has put up with him because his virtues outweigh his faults. Though sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. He was a progressive thinker - usually ahead of his time. He has really contributed to this town: with school boards, land developing, pallet factory, city council, etc. I am so proud of him. As a little child the neighbor girls and I decided Dad would make a good president of the U.S. We weren't at all naive. I remember him spanking me once when I was four years old - that was probably the first and last time. Spankings weren't needed. He would poke my shoulder with his finger and that was worse than any spanking. I hated it. Dad is a notorius joke teller. He remembers them all and tells them well -a real artist. He could take every child in the neighborhood and stretch their wrist and convince them the bones come apart. He'd stick his finger through a hole in the bottom of a match stick box - pour ketchup around the finger and show it to the children. His poor cut-off finger, Yuk!! He took us all over the United States on vacations. He's a historical nut. It's hard to argue with someone who knows his facts, but I still love to debate with him and Uncle Don Walton. Dad taught us to appreciate this beautiful country." Shawn Lovejoy: "My fondest memories include my Uncle Sheldon, I dont think he ever knew my real name, I was always "Mike" to him. I am sure you remember when I was a kid and everytime I saw him, it was Mike have you heard this joke yet... always a joke." The neices and nephews agree, but possibly expressed the best by Lee Helle: "To me these uncles stood seven foot tall barefooted and there was nothing they could not do." Or by Shawn Lovejoy: "I agree these men will always and forever be giants among men to me." Louise: "One of the most vivid memories is of Dad in his striped overalls. I do mean bib-overalls! Well, it was our opinion that a proper business gentleman should not wear striped overalls to the office. It took quite some time, but we eventually convinced him. I think it only took 10 or 15 years. Dad has a reputation for walking fast. Mother has a reputation for walking slow. We often joke and say that mother has two speeds, slow and stop. Dad would park the car, get out, shut his car door, scurry down the street with we children straggling somewhere in between, and buy the tickets while Mother was still opening her door. Dad and Uncle Walter were so close that it was always stated that when one it ched the other scratched. Well, we know which one did the scratching! We also know which brother did the cussing for the other brother, who never swore beyond an occasional "...believe me. Mother and Dad have lived an interesting existance. They have had a unique and special fifty years together. (Sharon Bearce)