Sarah Helmbock Blackwell

August 21, 1943-December 6, 2025

The eldest of six children, Sarah Lee was born to George William, DDS and Marian Haas Helmbock in Evansville where she was raised and educated. She graduated from Reitz Memorial High School, class of 1961, and entered the Indiana University School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene program. As a Registered Dental Hygienist she worked at her father’s side and for other dentists in the Evansville area for several years.

In 1968 she married Jeffrey David Blackwell at Christ the King Catholic Church. Their 57-year marriage was marked by enduring mutual affection and devotion and the effective teamwork needed to produce a loving and productive family.

Their first home was Akron, Ohio, Jeff in the employ of Firestone International Co. The first of their three children, Scott, was born in 1969. In 1970 the young family was relocated to Rome, Italy. A year later Jeff’s work took them to London, England, where their daughters Sarah and Anne were born.

In 1973 Sarah and her family relocated to the US and settled in Jasper, Indiana. Along with raising her children and caring for her family, Sarah was a dental hygienist in the office of Don Drone, DDS, a classmate and close friend from Memorial High School.

In 1991 Jeff and Sarah moved to Santa Claus, Indiana, and resided there for 16 years before Jeff’s retirement from Kimball International. In 2007 they moved to Indianapolis to enjoy their retirement years with children and grandchildren.

She is survived by husband Jeff; son Scott (Cindy) of Bryan, TX, daughter Sarah (Matt) Page of Cicero, and daughter Anne (Ken) Johnson as well as grandchildren Ethan Blackwell (Round Rock, TX) and Stuart Blackwell (Greenville, SC); Lauren, Alex and Emily Stirn and Elaina Page, and; Nick (Wilmington, NC), Abby (Columbia, SC), Matthew and Jacob Johnson. Her five siblings also survive her: Tom (Daryl) Helmbock of Westfield; George (Connie) Helmbock, Lincolnshire IL; Pete (late Mary) Helmbock, Phoenix, AZ; Mary (David) Savidge, Scottsdale, AZ, and; Becky Helmbock, St. Petersburg, FL. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

The funeral Mass will begin at 11 AM on Friday, December 12 with visitation from 9:30 AM until Mass time at St. Pius X Church, 7200 Sarto Drive. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Sarah’s name to any of the following charities: The Carla Totten Dental Hygiene Fund, IU Foundation, P.O. Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6460; IU Foundation/Camp Brosius–address as above or; St. Pius X Church, 7200 Sarto Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46240.