Ray Dean Helmbacher

Ray Dean Helmbacher, 90, of Shumway, IL, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Shumway, IL. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Shumway with military rites. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Friday prior to the service at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Dean was born on March 25, 1934 at home in Shumway, the son of Clarence "Bud" and Edna (Strus) Helmbacher. He married Mildred Faye McKinney on August 12, 1962 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Shumway.
Dean was a Korean War veteran and worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation as a highway maintainer, serving in both the District 7 Sign Shop and Effingham Maintenance Yard for over 30 years before retiring in 1999. In his younger years, Dean enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid bowler. Dean was a member of the American Legion Post 120 and Effingham Moose Lodge 502. Dean believed in serving his community and served on the Shumway Fire Department, Shumway Village Board of Trustees, the Banner Township Board and the Effingham County Republican Central Committee as Banner Township precinct committeeman. He also served as a council member at church. In his later years, Dean loved watching westerns, doing word searches, and being with his friends at the Legion and the Moose Lodge.
Dean is survived by his daughter, Joanna Helmbacher; son, Derrick Helmbacher; grandson, Lucas; and his brother, Neal (Carol) Helmbacher.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Faye; son, William; brother, Roland Helmbacher; and sister, Phyllis Goers.