Barbara Ann Helwagen

Barbara Ann Helwagen, 87, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2025. She was born January 27, 1938 in Columbus, to the late Clayton and Alwilda (Chaffin) Fletcher. She cherished her family and always greeted all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with huge smiles and unconditional love. She loved attending all of her grandkid’s music and sporting events. She had a love for baseball and especially enjoyed watching the Little League World Series. If you were passing by her house, you would often find her squatted down and hand pulling weeds in her yard or reaching high up using her chain saw to trim up a tree. Outside working in her yard was very rewarding to her. She would spend hours riding her John Deere cutting the grass and picking up tree debris in her little trailer. Barbara valued everything and everyone. She was an inspiration of strength and wisdom to her family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death her loving husband of nearly 65 years, David Helwagen. Barbara is survived by her children, Tony (Cheryl) Helwagen, Jeffrey Helwagen, and Jody (Dale) Brown; grandchildren, Annette (Chad) Howard, Candace (Scott) Marzec, Anna (Rob Smith) Helwagen, Emily (Brad) Chaffin, Nicholas Helwagen, Christina (John) Collins, and Jared (Taylor) Brown; great-grandchildren, Blake, Cadence, Jayciee, Ezra, Haizley, Zigmund, Bonnie, Harlow, Kailey, Sophia, Allison, Zach, Reece, Ava, Anthony, and MaeLeigh; sister, Reba Diane Warren; and many other relatives and friends. In accordance with her wishes, a private memorial event will be held at a later date. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a special memory or extend condolences.