Harlan B. Helgeson

Harlan B Helgeson Jr. age 94 passed away on October 10th after a short illness. He loved his country and proudly served during WWII in the Army Air Corp. He was a long-time resident of the Bourbonnais and Manteno area. He was born in Cherryvale KS to Harlan B Helgeson Sr and Hannah (Hamilton) Helgeson on Sept 13th1923. He is survived by his wife Tekla Andrews. He is also survived by his two children: Wayne & Debbie Helgeson and Wendy & Carl Crays. He has 6 grandchildren: Daniel Crays, Carolyn Whitaker, Marc Helgeson, Lindsey Helgeson, Erin Willis, and Andy Helgeson. He has 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a half-sister Karen Denoyer, a step-brother Robert (Bob) Helgeson, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Auldon Helgeson, and his wife, Martha (Shumaker) Helgeson. Mr. Helgeson loved music and credited his mother, who was a music teacher, with teaching him his love of music. He played in several bands which included Jo and the Boys and the Combinations. While serving in the Army Air Corp during WWII he entertained troops as a member of the 513th Air Force Band including a USO show where Mickey Rooney was the headliner. He was also an avid bowler and earned the title of Illinois State Bowling Champion in 1966. Mr. Helgeson retired from both the Illinois Central RR and the United States Postal Service. He was an active member of the Moose, the VFW, the American Legion, the Shriners, and was a past president of the Masonic Lodge. Cremation rites were accorded. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Bourbonnais. Visitation will start at 11AM with full Military Honors at 1pm. Masonic Rites will be accorded at 1:45 followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 2pm. A lunch will be served immediately following the service at the church. Harlan B Helgeson Jr. age 94 passed away on October 10th after a short illness. He loved his country and proudly served during WWII in the Army Air Corp. He was a long-time resident of the Bourbonnais and Manteno area. He was born in Cherryvale KS to Harlan B Helgeson Sr and Hannah (Hamilton) Helgeson on Sept 13th1923. He is survived by his wife Tekla Andrews. He is also survived by his two children: Wayne & Debbie Helgeson and Wendy & Carl Crays. He has 6 grandchildren: Daniel Crays, Carolyn Whitaker, Marc Helgeson, Lindsey Helgeson, Erin Willis, and Andy Helgeson. He has 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a half-sister Karen Denoyer, a step-brother Robert (Bob) Helgeson, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Auldon Helgeson, and his wife, Martha (Shumaker) Helgeson. Mr. Helgeson loved music and credited his mother, who was a music teacher, with teaching him his love of music. He played in several bands which included Jo and the Boys and the Combinations. While serving in the Army Air Corp during WWII he entertained troops as a member of the 513th Air Force Band including a USO show where Mickey Rooney was the headliner. He was also an avid bowler and earned the title of Illinois State Bowling Champion in 1966. Mr. Helgeson retired from both the Illinois Central RR and the United States Postal Service. He was an active member of the Moose, the VFW, the American Legion, the Shriners, and was a past president of the Masonic Lodge. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Bourbonnais. Visitation will start at 11AM with full Military Honors at 1pm. Masonic Rites will be accorded at 1:45 followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 2pm. A lunch will be served immediately following the service at the church. Cremation rites were accorded. Please sign Harlan's guest book at brownfuneralhomemanteno.com