Eugene John (Gene) Helling, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, entered into eternal rest on September 17, 2021, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, at the age of 92. He was born on July 13, 1929 in Fort Madison, Iowa to Paul and Pearl Helling.
He graduated from Fort Madison Catholic Central High School, and served in the Army from 1946 -1949. He married Charlene Cronley on June 14, 1952 in Kansas City, MO and lived in this area the rest of his life. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Kansas City for 35 years, retiring in 1987. He was always very proud of the number of telephone poles he climbed as a lineman. He was an active member of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Pioneers, the Knights of Columbus O’Hara Council, the Lewis and Clark Pioneer Bass Club, the Monday Night Football Strategy Club, and many more organizations.
Gene was a devoted parishioner of St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church. He was an avid fisherman his entire life. Charlene claims that if he ever had a notion to leave her, it would have been for a fish. Gene was known to be able to fix anything or to at least to try.
Gene and Charlene raised five children: David, Bill, Rick, Chris, and Kelly. He was preceded in death by his son, Chris. Eugene is survived by his wife, Charlene; their children, David, Bill, Rick and Kelly as well as 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Due to recent changes in COVID19 protocol, the family requests that all attendees to Gene’s services wear facial coverings and practice safe distancing.
All services will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at St. Regis Catholic Church, 8941 James A Reed Rd., Kansas City, MO 64138. Rosary will begin at 9:45am with visitation at 10am and Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Following the conclusion of Mass, the committal service will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64138.
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