Clarence E. “Gene” Helfert, sixty-eight years of age, born on September 13, 1949 to Clarence G. and Evelyn (Gordon) Helfert in Evansville, IN passed from this earth into his Savior’s arms on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at home. Standing in the Gates of Heaven to greet him was his mom, dad, and younger brother, Roy. Gene fought a long, hard battle with cancer the last 5 years.
He had a rare form of cancer that his Dr. told him no one had ever survived. They gave him 6 months at the longest but most likely 3 months. Gene told him, “You may be my Dr., but my Heavenly Father is who I depend on for the length of my days of my life”.
So, with his Dr’s hard work, prayers from his family and friends, and his Savior by his side, he fought a long, hard battle. Gene was a hard worker throughout his life beginning as a teenager working for local farms in St. Wendel where he was raised. After graduation from Reitz High School in 1967, he worked for Federal Produce for a few years before becoming an owner operator driving for Buchta Trucking.
Years later, he worked for Overnight Trucking and for his friend, Dan Perdue at Universal Salvage. His last job before retirement was at T.J. Maxx where he was known by everyone as “Preacher”. Although at times, he may have been a little rough around the edges, he had a big heart and loved to help out with food, etc.
at church events. He enjoyed the Frog Follies and just socializing with people – Gene never met a stranger! He had many, many friends.
He also found a joy in spending all day on Saturday going to yard sales – He loved a bargain! At Christmas time, he enjoyed playing Santa Claus at his niece’s daycare. Gene has 4 sons he was very proud of, although he may never have told them that!
He did not express his feelings very well to them. He was very proud of the men they had become: good husbands and fathers to their children. He was very grateful to Sharon, their mother, for the way she had raised them.
The family would like to thank his very special cousin, Larry Straub and his wife, Mary, who cared for him in his final days. There were others who also helped: his nephew, David Marts, sisters, Tammy and Sue, and sister-in-law, Karen Helfert. The family would like to say a special thank you to Darcy Puckett at Kindred Hospice, Kimberly Staples with Deaconess Medication Assistance Program, Melissa with Specialty Group, and Dr. Ahmed and numerous other Drs who also helped his fight with cancer.
He is survived by his sons, Eric Helfert, Brian Helfert (Rebecca), Brent Helfert (Angie), and Mark Helfert (Alice); mother of his sons and good friend, Sharon Helfert; 5 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; sisters, Sue Foster, Linda Bollinger (Clete), Margie Luffman, Tammy Helfert-Marx (Billy), and Marlene “Jody” Luffman; and his precious dog daughter, Roxie, that he loved so very much. He is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Roy Helfert. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 13, 2018 at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue with Pastor Gary Auten officiating.
Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 12, 2018 and from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Friday, July 13, 2018 at BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Cornerstone Assembly of God at 3900 Kratzville Rd, Evansville, IN 47710.
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