Harold Lloyd Helvey's Obituary
Harold Lloyd Helvey, age 95, of Pinckneyville, IL was welcomed home by his Heavenly Father on Monday, January 16, 2023 after passing away peacefully at home.
Harold was born at home on August 1, 1927 in Pinckneyville, the oldest of five children to Glen and Eunice (Martin) Helvey. On December 7, 1946, he married Geneva Eileen Eaton in DuQuoin, they shared seventy-five years together before her passing. Harold served in the Navy during WWII on the USS Caliente as a Pharmacist Mate. He worked at Stotlar Drug Store for almost thirty years, starting out as a soda jerk, opened their Sporting Goods Department, and was an apprentice pharmacist. He then went to work underground at Peabody #2 coal mine and was a member of the UMWA. He also worked part-time at Pyatt Funeral Home for many years. He was a lifelong member of Beaucoup Baptist Church in Pinckneyville where he served as a Deacon for seventy years, many of them as their chairman, and sang in the choir.
Harold was an avid golfer and upon retirement could be found on a course several days a week until just a few years ago even hitting a hole in 1 at the age of 69. He was well known for his meticulous garden on the corner of South First and Brown St. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching any sport (especially the Pinckneyville Panthers), and woodworking, but most of all spending time with his grandchildren who will fondly remember his huge bear hugs and love for sweets, especially ice cream.
Survivors include his two sons, Larry (Nora Beth) Helvey and Ronald (Joann) Helvey of Pinckneyville; sister, Evelyn (Ira) Rushing of Pinckneyville; seven grandchildren, Bryan Helvey of Marion, Kristin Helvey Harris of Carterville, Susan (Jim) Garavaglia of Pinckneyville, Jeanna (Aaron) Deaton of Yankton, South Dakota, David Helvey of Pinckneyville, Gabe (Christy) Helvey of Pinckneyville, and Raini Reeves of DuQuoin; fifteen great-grandchildren, Landon, Emma, Madison, Aidan, Daniel, Regan, Ashlyn, Austin, Braelyn, Conner, McKenna, Raelei, Carter, Cole, and Coen; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; granddaughter, Rhonda Kaye Helvey; two brothers, Albert (Cathy) Helvey and Paul (Gloria) Helvey; one sister, Wanda (Orval) Slusher; two sisters-in-law, Lorraine (Howard) Ozburn and Virginia (Beak) McCrary; nephews, Perry Rushing, Don Ozburn, and Bill Ozburn; and niece, Judy McCrary Childers.
Funeral services will be held at Beaucoup Baptist Church, Pinckneyville on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Mark Lee officiating. Interment will follow at Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL.
Visitation will be at Beaucoup Baptist Church, Pinckneyville on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Beaucoup Baptist Church Deacon's Benevolence Fund or Major Building Fund.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with arrangements.
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