Theodore Edward Hellenga

On the afternoon of May 23, 2022, at 1:27 p.m., Theodore Edward Hellenga Jr. passed away peacefully at Franciscan Health with his family by his side. Ted was 92 years old.

As a young boy, "Teddy" enjoyed spending time with his father helping out with the family Produce business in Milwaukee and with his mother at the Three Oaks United Methodist Church in Three Oaks, Michigan, where he grew up. Listening to his mother direct the choir instilled a love of music that was with him for the rest of his life.

Ted loved to share stories of, as a young man, spending summers buying and selling produce, helping load fruits and vegetables and driving the delivery trucks throughout the Midwest at the ripe young age of 14.

He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Ted was self-employed for the majority of his life and preferred being his own boss. He was a man of many means and always had an answer for any question; if he didn't know the answer he would research it and remember what he read. It was like having a walking encyclopedia available at any time.

Ted loved to fly and earned his pilot's license in 1964. He spent many happy years flying friends and family around the country for both work and pleasure. He also enjoyed reading, fishing and golfing at LBCC of which he was a member for a number of years.

One of Ted's biggest loves, other than his family, was his music. Many people in Michigan City and Three Oaks, Michigan, will remember his beautiful voice. His rendition of "How Great Thou Art" could bring a tear to the driest of eyes. Not only did he sing a song, but he felt it also and his voice would ring to the rafters of the largest church.

Ted Hellenga Jr. was born to Marjorie and Theodore Edward Hellenga Sr. on May 18, 1930, in Oak Park, Illinois. He was the eldest of two sons. On June 12, 1954, in Michigan City, Indiana, he married Natalie J. Enyeart.

Also surviving are his daughters, Sheree L. Hellenga and Jodi L. Hellenga of Michigan City, Indiana, and Heidi (Terry) Smith of Ringgold, Georgia; grandchildren, April (Jason) Irvin of Tennessee, Kramer (Averie) Smith of Georgia and Casey Smith (Shaun) Bates of Georgia; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel Irvin and Riley Belk of Tennessee.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Theodore Hellenga Sr.; and his brother, Robert Hellenga.

Ted Hellenga generously donated his body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date for family only.

The Hellenga family would like to give special thanks to the fourth floor nursing staff at Franciscan Health as well as the Franciscan Health Hospice Team for the help and caring they provided.