Sharon J. Hellebusch

1957 - 2022

Sharon Jean Hellebusch, nee Tipton, 64, Jonesburg, passed away Monday, May 2, 2022, at Evelyn's House Hospice, Creve Coeur.

She was born Dec. 8, 1957, in St. Louis to Vernon Tipton and wife Martha, nee Harrison. Sharon graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, Nebraska, and continued her education at Southwest Missouri State University, where she studied ballet dancing. She was blessed with three children, and the family made their home in Washington in 1992. Sharon was united in marriage to Mike Hellebusch on April 26, 2008, at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Washington. The couple made their home in Jonesburg, and Sharon was blessed with three stepchildren.

Sharon worked for Downtown Washington, Inc. and then took a position with Clemco Industries as an administrative assistant in the company's marketing department. She enjoyed a successful career there until her health declined, and she left the company in 2018 after 20 years of dedicated service.

Sharon enjoyed spending her spare time crafting and antiquing. She was an avid animal lover and enjoyed spending time with her dog, Sadie. She also enjoyed ballet dancing in her younger years. Sharon loved her family dearly and cherished the time she spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and the rest of her family. She volunteered with the Washington Historical Society on restoration projects and was a member of Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eureka.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Mike Hellebusch, Jonesburg; one son, Bill Diestelkamp and wife Kylee, Washington; two daughters, Katie Keller, Springfield, and Rebecca Diestelkamp-Woodham and husband Jason, St. Louis; three stepchildren, Michael Hellebusch Jr. and significant other Stephanie, Augusta, William "Billy" Hellebusch and wife, Ali, and Jamie Puetz and husband Brent, all of Washington; 11 grandchildren, Marcus and Abby Keller, William and Augustus Diestelkamp, Kelsey, Madison and Haley Puetz, Lula, James, Naomi and Gabriel Hellebusch; one brother, Robert Tipton, Livermore, California; three brothers-in-law, Nicholas Hellebusch and wife Maggie, Jonesburg, Rick Hellebusch and wife Susan, and James Wellenkamp, all of Washington; one sister-in-law, Sherry Hausmann and husband Steve, Washington; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many dear friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Martha Tipton; parents-in-law, Melvin Hellebusch and wife Mary Ann, nee Wunderlich; one brother, Donald Tipton; and sister-in-law, Linda Wellenkamp.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Most Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eureka, with the Rev. Joe Kempf officiating.

Burial followed in St. Francis Borgia Catholic Cemetery, Washington.

Donations may be made in honor of Sharon Hellebusch to the Franklin County Humane Society or Evelyn's House Hospice.

The Hellebusch family was served by Oltmann Funeral Home, Washington.