Joseph D. Helwig

1926 - 2023

Joseph "Joe" D. Helwig, 96 of Media (formerly Springfield) passed away January 24, 2023 at his home in Riddle Village. He was born September 24, 1926 on River Hill in Catawissa Twp., PA to the late David Benjamin & Elsie Dimmick Helwig. Joe grew up on a working farm, attended a one-room schoolhouse for eight years before attending and graduating from Bloomsburg High School. He received a BS at Univ. of Rochester and MS from Princeton in Chemical Engineering. During college, he enlisted in the US Navy Reserves and resigned his commission as a Lieutenant in 1956. Joe married Betty Rabb of Benton, PA in 1948 and they started their family while at Princeton. After graduation, Joe began a long carrier in the petrochemical industry in both engineering and management roles with Atlantic Refining/Atlantic Richfield/Atlantic Petroleum and finally Sun Oil. For the majority of his carrier they resided in Springfield PA. Besides work, Joe was very active in the Boy Scouts, Democratic Party, American Red Cross, multiple Church affiliations, Springfield Lions Club, YMCA of Delaware County and many others. In 2004, they moved to Riddle Village and Joe was actively involved serving time on the Finance Committee and as the President of the Residence Council. One of his favorite activities was pursuing family genealogy resulting in the publication of the lineage of four families in 1980. Many additions were made to the volumes as he continued to discover new information and links. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty (Rabb) Helwig. Survivors include his sons, David and wife Connie of Tavernier, FL and Donald and wife Lois of Naples, FL, Grandchildren, Susan Svencer (husband Nick) and Keith Helwig (wife Liza), and his four Great Grandchildren, Thomas and Maggie Svencer and Christopher and Anna Helwig. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to: American Cancer Society, Rocky Run YMCA, or the Riddle Village Endowment Fund. A Private Life Celebration will be held at a later date. Condolences at www.cavanaghfuneralhome.com