Robert W. Helbling

Robert W. “Bob” Helbling, age 86, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Robert was born in Mandan, ND, on the 4th of July 1923, son of the late Adam and Sofina (nee: Hoffman) Helbling and has lived in Racine since he was 7 years old.

On November 23, 1944, Robert was united in marriage to Henrietta M. Kralicek at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church where he has been a longtime member. Bob was employed as a meat cutter, first working at Radewan Grocery Store and then with Sentry Foods for thirty years until his retirement in 1985. He served as secretary for the Meat Cutter’s Union. In his spare time Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting, gaming and spending time with his family at their cabin in Manitowish Waters, where he also loved to swim and go sailing. His greatest joy came from his family. Bob will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Henrietta; his seven children, Richard (June) Helbling of Crossville, TN, Judith (Gary) David of Sheboygan, Robert (Barbara) Helbling of Racine, David (Beverly) Helbling of East Troy, Patrick (Kim) Helbling of Oshkosh, Mary (Ron) Feest of Big Flats, WI, Jeffrey Helbling (Nancy Massenza) of Racine; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister, Beverly (Orville) Solfest of Rockford; sisters-in-law, Elsie Budzinski, Kathleen Marsh; brother-in-law, Tony Kralicek, all of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Bob was also preceded in death by his four brothers, Frank, Clement, William and Nicholas and his sister Margaret Crain.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, 1903 Green St., on  Saturday May 15, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888