Published on April 22, 2025 6:16 am
Last Updated on April 23, 2025 4:32 pm
Robert Charles “Bob” Helregel, age 87, of Sainte Marie, Illinois, passed away at 5:25 AM – Monday, April 21, 2025, at Helia Healthcare of Newton, Illinois.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 A.M. – Monday, April 28, 2025, at Ste. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois with Fr. Pawel Luczak celebrating Mass. The burial will be in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Sainte Marie Illinois, with full military rites by the Sainte Marie American Legion Post #932. A visitation for family and friends will be held 9:00 to 10:30 AM prior to the Mass. In Loving memory of Robert, memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund. Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Robert Charles better know “Bob” was born on February 2, 1938, in Sainte Marie, Illinois the son of Edward and Mildred (Gowin) Helregel. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the class of 1956. Bob married Carole Rose Reis on May 30, 1961, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois and she preceded him in death on September 13, 2007. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves from October 17, 1959, until his honorable discharge on April 16, 1960. Bob was a lifelong grain and livestock farmer, and he loved to raise cattle. He was a Pioneer Seed salesman for many years and had also worked at Hartrich Meats as a meat cutter. Bob was a lifelong member of Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus #1704 since 1956, life member of Sainte Marie American Legion Post #932, Sainte Marie Community Club, Sainte Marie Village Board, Saint Mary’s Parish Council, Saint Mary’s Cemetery Board, and was a volunteer of the Sainte Marie Fire Department and delivered meals for the Jasper County Senior Center.
Bob is survived byChildren- Brian Helregel of Effingham, Illinois; Michele (Ed) Vogt of Teutopolis, Illinois and Stacey (Chuck) Nettleton of Olney, IllinoisGrandchildren- Kyle (Holly) Nettleton, Macy Vogt and Brock Vogt; Great-Grandchildren- Ellee, Carly, Rhett and baby Nettleton due in June 2025; Brother- Don (Sara) Helregel of Lexington, Kentucky; Sisters- Dorothy Mathious of Van Nuys, California and Judy (Gordon) Millsap of West Liberty, Illinois; Sisters-in-law – Glenda Schwartz of Effingham, Illinois and Anita Steber of Olney, Illinois; Brothers-in-law – Ed Reis of Robinson, Illinois and Tony Reis of Charleston, Illinois.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother James Helregel, sister Marilyn Huss, father and mother-in-law Eugene and Zita Reis.