J. Philip Hellwege

Hellwege, J. Philip, asleep in Jesus, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Beloved husband of Shirley Hellwege (nee Dueker); dearest father of Judith (Stephen) Newell and Rev. Dr. John (Denise) Hellwege; dear grandfather of Amanda (Matthew) Berry, David (fiancée Madelyn) Newell, Rachel (Christopher) Hogan, Elizabeth (fiancé Hunter) Newell, Christine Newell, Laura (Nathaniel) Brown and Nathan Hellwege; brother of Allen (Ellen) Hellwege; our dear great-grandfather, uncle and friend of many.

Beyond his career as the Chief Financial Officer for the St. Louis Region YMCA, Phil was an active volunteer and impacted the lives of many through Boy Scouts of America, Rotary, YMCA of the Ozarks, the Museum of Transportation, and service at church.

Receiving his Eagle Scout Award at age 15, Phil went on to work and volunteer at camp, take scouts to the National Jamboree, serve as the leader of Cub Scouts Pack 599 and Boy Scout Troop 637, serve as president of the Eagle Scout Association in 1968 and 1969, and as a member of the Board of Directors St. Louis Area Council from 1969-1970.

Phil was a long-time member of the Downtown Rotary and a member of the Des Peres Rotary 2008-2017 (approx.), including time serving as a Program Chairman and the President of Sky Way Farms while it was owned by Rotary.

Though Phil traveled the world including all seven continents, it can be said that his favorite place on Earth was Trout Lodge at the YMCA of the Ozarks with his family. Phil was both instrumental in the creation of Trout Lodge and served on the board for almost two decades, including a term as board president. For over 50 years, Phil took his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to this special place.

A lifelong lover of trains, Phil volunteered at the Museum of Transportation for two decades as a tour guide, ambassador, and arranged and staffed tables at train shows.

Active in his faith and church, Phil was the President of Glendale Lutheran Church from 1968 to 1970. At Village Lutheran Church, he served as the Chairman of Elders, and he served as the treasurer of the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1974. Phil also served on the Finance Committee for Lutheran Senior Services.

Additionally, Phil was also a Jr. Achievement advisor, International President of Gamma Delta (Lutheran College Fraternity), President of the Institute of Management Accountants St. Louis Chapter, Vice President of the National Institute of Management Accountants, Board Member of the Tappmeyer Homestead Foundation, and the Creve Coeur Squires.

He is also known for his famous 27-pound fruitcake recipe, a Christmas tradition that he has passed down from his grandfather, who owned Mueller Bakery in St. Louis. His fruitcake has been covered multiple times in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the New York Times.

Perhaps his greatest achievement: Phil had a loving marriage to Shirley for 66 years. His family will miss him dearly.

Services:  Visitation at Mason Pointe Chapel, 13198 South Outer Forty Road, Entrance 2, Town and Country, Saturday, November 15, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m. Interment at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Des Peres. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to YMCA Trout Lodge or The National Museum of Transportation.  As a service of the Schrader Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.