Cletus Nicholas Helfrich, 92 years, of Columbia, IL, passed away on May 16, 2019 at Mercy South, St. Louis, MO. He was born December 15, 1926, in Paderborn, IL, son of the late Joseph C. and Christina M., nee Kettler, Helfrich. Cletus was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL, and American Legion Post #581 Columbia, IL.
He had served in the U.S. Army and was a Veteran of WW II stationed in the Pacific Theater. He was originally part of the invasion force sent to Japan and took part in the occupation following their surrender. He was retired from the Monsanto Corp in Sauget, IL, after 40 years of service.
Beloved father of four surviving sons, Andrew D. (Maureen) Helfrich of Fenton, MO, Gerald J. (Anna) Helfrich of Cary, NC, Kenneth J. (Jennifer) Helfrich of Atlanta, GA, and James C. Helfrich of Carbondale, IL. Proud grandfather to Eric, Alex, William, Owen, Colin, Lily, Lucy and Lukas Helfrich. He is survived by other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Cecilia A. Gasser, Emilia K. Eckert, Agnes T. Straub, Agatha A. Muckensturm and Rita C. Helfrich; and brothers, Edward H., Clarence A., Anthony P., Alphonse A., Gregory J., Clement G. and Henry G. Helfrich. Cletus was an avid gardener and handyman in his spare time. He also enjoyed participating in various groups including the Knights of Columbus and Sister Cities programs in Columbia, IL (Gedern) and Millstadt IL (Gross-Bieberau).
It was with these sister-city programs that he traveled to Germany to find the home of his grandfather, Georg Helfrich, who emigrated in 1861 settling in Paderborn, IL. Cletus loved researching his family tree and history. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, May 24, 2019, 9:00 am – 9:45 am, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10:00 am, at the church, with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating.
Interment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Columbia, IL. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: Immaculate Conception Catholic Education & Activities Center Building Fund, 411 Palmer Road, Columbia, IL, 62236. For more information, please access our website, www.
leesmanfuneralhome.com. Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, handled arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Cletus N. Helfrich please visit our Sympathy Store.
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