John F. Helman

John F. (Jack) Helman, 78, completed his life's journey on March 4, 2013.He was preceded in death by his parents, John A and Ethel (Genda) Helman, his daughter Kristi (A) Berardi (March 17, 1990), his mother-in-law Elizabeth (Walker) Oltman, and his father-in-law Clarence E Oltman, all of Pekin, IL.He is also preceded in death by his sisters Lois Hutchinson (Tuscon, AZ) and Joan Percefull, (Pekin, IL). He was born February 25th, 1935 to the late John A and Ethel (Genda) Helman in Pekin, Illinois.After his parents died when he was 17, he worked at Caterpillar until he joined the Navy in 1955 at age 20.John married the former Deanne Oltman on December 16th, 1956.After his enlistment was up, they returned from Newport, RI and lived in Pekin, IL.Until he retired in April 1997, John worked at Bemis Bag Company in Peoria, IL. John was an avid baseball fan. He especially loved the White Sox.He enjoyed bowling and took part in two different bowling leagues.More than anything else, John loved his family and invested his free time in them. John leaves a living legacy of four children, Timothy J. (Amanda) Helman, Zionsville, Indiana, Kathi L. (Darin) Bolen, Pekin, Illinois, J. Michael Helman, Pekin, Illinois and Todd A. Helman, Allyn, Washington.His riches also include grandchildren Jon M. (Hannah) Helman, Warsaw, Indiana, Benjamin D. (Amanda) Helman, St. Louis, Missouri, Meckeala A. Berardi, Morton, Illinois, Ryan G Berardi, Iowa City, IA, Sean M Helman, Pekin, Illinois, Sara J. Helman, Peoria, Ilinois, Kari J Bolen, Pekin, Illinois, Mitchell J Bolen, Pekin, Illinois, Andrew J. Helman, Allyn, Washington and Alexander W. Helman, Allyn, Washington.His step grandchildren are Joshua Bolen, East Peoria, Illinois, Derek Bolen, Pekin, Illinois, Zach Metcalf, Pekin, Illinois, Kelsey Boland, Chicago, Illinois, John M. (Shandi) Shipp, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and Jason S. Shipp, Zionsville, Indiana.His great-grandchildren are Parker K. Potter, Paislee K. Potter, and Paris K. Potter, all of Morton, Illinois.Step great-grandchildren are Kearden Bolen, Pekin, Illinois, Hailey Bolen, East Peoria, Illinois, Saraphin White and Ethan Shipp, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and Cambria Metcalf, Pekin, Illinois.John is also survived by his sisters Betty Maquet, Pekin, Illinois and Lorraine (Bill) Comstock, Pekin, Illinois, sister-in-law Susan (Larry) Kezele, West Windsor, New Jersey and brother-in-law Kevin (Cheryl) Oltman, Peoria, Illinois. Visitation will be held Friday, March 8th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Henderson Funeral Home in Pekin.A celebration of his life will be Saturday, March 9th, 10:30 a.m. also at Henderson Funeral Home with Rev. Johnny Creasong officiating. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens with Military Honors provided by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Ceremonial Team. Memorial contributions may be directed to American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association. To leave John's family an online condolence please visit www.hendersonfuneralcare.com. Cemetery Glendale Memorial Gardens 18119 Illinois Route 9 Pekin,IL 61554 Service Saturday, March 9, 2013 10:30 AM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Friday, March 8, 2013 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554