James Joseph "Jim" Helbling

"Jim" Helbling of Eugene, Oregon, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, with loved ones by his side. He was 89 years old.

Born March 13, 1936, in Mandan, North Dakota, Jim was the son of Joseph Peter Helbling and Magdelen Helen (Schafer) Helbling. As his father's career with the Northern Pacific Railway required relocation, Jim's childhood took him from Mandan, ND, to Glendive, MT, and eventually to Yakima, WA, where he graduated from Marquette High School in 1954.

After high school, Jim moved to Seattle to attend Seattle University. It was there-during a campus blood drive-that he asked a volunteer to hold his hand while he donated. That coed, Virginia Justine Favero, would become the love of his life. They were married on January 10, 1959, shortly after his graduation and commissioning as a Field Artillery officer in the United States Army.

Jim's military career spanned assignments across the United States and in Europe. Over the course of those years, he and Virginia welcomed six children. During his two combat tours in Vietnam, Virginia and the children remained in the Seattle area, surrounded by extended family. No matter where the Army sent them, Jim and Virginia formed lifelong friendships and built strong community ties.

Following his final Army assignment as Professor of Military Science at the University of Oregon, Jim retired from active duty and began a second career as Business Manager for the law firm of Butler, Husk, Gleaves, and Swearingen. He developed lasting friendships within the Eugene business community and became an active member of the Eugene Southtowne Rotary.

Jim possessed a generous spirit and a deep commitment to service. Devoted to his Catholic faith, he served his parish for many years as a member of the Parish Council and as Church Maintenance Coordinator. He believed strongly in volunteerism and gave his time generously-working high school concession stands, helping build playgrounds, donating blood, raising funds to eradicate polio, assisting seniors with tax preparation, and comforting families at Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend.

Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed playing cards and working puzzles. A devoted cribbage player since childhood, he delighted in teaching and playing the game with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed many lively games of cribbage and bridge with friends.

Jim is survived by his children: Joseph (Mary) Helbling of Spokane, WA; Julia Schewanick of Springfield, OR; Karin (David) Cary of Springfield, OR; Anthony (Pamela) Helbling of Canby, OR; George (Anie) Helbling of Eugene, OR; and Elizabeth Link of Canby, OR. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by Virginia, his beloved wife of 62 years, in 2021; his grandson, Michael Alan; his great-granddaughter, Estella James; his parents; and his five older sisters: Helen (Christ) Assel; Katherine (Rex) Swindling; Lucille (Bill) Meyers; Josephine (Marty) Kolar; and Bernadine (Pat) Falcon.

A Funeral Mass will be held on March 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 4330 Willamette St., Eugene, OR, with a Rosary beginning at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Jim's honor to Food for Lane County.