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Joseph Helms Obituary
January 23, 1937 - July 26, 2025
Edwardsville, Illinois - Joseph B. Helms, DVM, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away July 26, 2025. He was born January 23, 1937, in Belleville, IL. The son of the late Lester W. and Florence Wessel Helms. He married his first wife, Sharon N. Hoffmann, of 53 years, in Farmington, IL, on September 2, 1959. Sharon died on September 20, 2012. He married Susanne C. Nelson on September 6, 2016. She preceded him in death.
Dr. Helms is survived by three daughters, Ann (Alan) Phillips, Jean Marie (Chuck) Smith, and Jane Helms, as well as a son, Robert (Amy) Helms. Two children preceded him in death, Joel B. Helms and Cheryl E. Helms. He was blessed with eight (8) grandchildren and six (6) great-grandchildren.
Dr. Helms graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science in 1960 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1962. He was a member and the President of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, serving as a Captain in the Army Veterinary Corps and at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he served for 2 years. In 1965, he joined as a partner with Dr. Merrill Ottwein at Hawthorne Animal Hospital. In 1968, upon Dr. Ottwein's retirement, he acquired the practice and renamed it Hawthorne Animal Hospital, Ltd., where he practiced for 34 years until his retirement in 1997.
Adding to his commitment to community service, he served on the Board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan for 35 years, as well as the Board of Directors of First Cover Leaf Bank, where he served as Chairman of the Board for six (6) years. First Cover Leaf Bank later merged with First Mid Bank, a publicly traded financial services company. He formally served on the Edwardsville YMCA Board and continued to support the YMCA throughout the years. He was a member of the Edwardsville Rotary and a lifetime member of the Turkey Hill Grange, as well as the AVMA, ISVMA, and SIVMA.
According to his wishes, his remains will be donated to St. Louis University Medical School for anatomical studies. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Madison County Historical Society, 801 N. Main St. Edwardsville, IL 62025; or the Turkey Hill Grange, 1375 E. State Rt. 15, Belleville, IL 62220.
Friends may express condolences online at www.KalmerMemorialServices.com. Kalmer Memorial Services in Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Helms
Sponsored by Belleville News-Democrat.
5 Entries
Paul Myer
August 4, 2025
The greatest mentor a person could ever have. You will be missed by many others as well.
DARYELBUESKING
August 3, 2025
Being a young man coming to Edwardsville he was the kindest man and welcome to me when I joined the rotary and always said hello and spoke. God bless him and may his soul rest in peace.
PHIL ODOM
August 3, 2025
A SLOW SALUTE - TO A FELLOW VETERAN AND A NATIONAL HERO
THANK YOU - FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
We will remember you always and miss you dearly.
Take your Warrior's rest for a duty well done.
For the Family:
Even though I've never met your loved one,
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss.
May the force of GOD be with you as you walk through this difficult time.
May the loving promises of our LORD and Savior comfort you
and give you peace and understanding.
As a grateful Veteran, I hope you accept this as a small token of appreciation
for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one to our Country.
SEMPER FI
SGT. PHIL ODOM
FOX CO. WEAPONS PLATOON
2ND BATTALION/1ST MARINES
U. S. MARINE CORPS
AND VIETNAM VET
[email protected]
"For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know"
Judy Marco
July 31, 2025
Joe was one of my favorite people ever. I´m first interaction was at Hawthorn taking care of a dog that another vet mis - diagnosed. From there we had a great relationship. Later I worked with him regarding his subdivision. We remained friends through all the years. He can never be replaced and will be with us forever.
Linda Lippoldt
July 29, 2025
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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