Donald Heleine

Donald Heleine, 84, of Robinson, IL, formerly of West Union, IL, died at 7:10 p.m. (EST) on Monday, December 17, 2018 at the Gibson Family Hospice Center in Terre Haute, IN. He was born August 14, 1934, the son of John Raymond Heleine, Sr. & Floy (Whitkanack) Heleine, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Thelma Jean Thompson on August 14, 1953 and she preceded him in death on October 7, 1994. He then married Sharon (Sparks) Tuttle on May 28, 1999 and she too preceded him in death on January 16, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his son, Donald W. “Don B” Heleine; by four brothers, Robert Lewis Heleine, Bernard D. Heleine, John Raymond Heleine, Jr, and Dr. Berton Heleine; by two sisters, Betty Lou Lowe and Virginia Fern Isbell; and by his son-in-law, Richard "Rick" Poorman. He is survived by his daughter, Pam Poorman (West Union, IL); by his grandchildren, Greg & Lesa Heleine (Blue Springs, MO), Lynn & Jason Kotterman (Oak Grove, MO); Andy & Jamie Poorman (Dunlap, IL), and Kaycee & Justin Barnett (Terre Haute, IN); by his great-grandchildren, Harper Maples, Blake and Katelyn Kotterman (all of Oak Grove, MO), Hayden and Beckett Poorman (Dunlap, IL), Dylan Barnett (Terre Haute, IN), and a great-granddaughter due Friday. His special friend, Bettie Bounds (Marshall, IL) also survives, as do several nieces and nephews. Don grew up in the West Union area and was a graduate of Hutsonville High School. Following graduation, he became an ironworker, working in Chicago for a time before making his way back home to the West Union area. Here, he owned and operated D & J’s Market in West Union and the Butcher Block in Robinson and was one of the best meat-cutters around. He also worked for a number of local businesses, including Rural King. Outside of work, chances were that he could be found pole in hand. Fishing was a great source of joy in Don’s life, second only to his beloved family, who have lost not only a patriarch, but a friend and advocate as well. A time of visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 22nd at the Prust-Hosch Funeral Home in West Union. A celebration of Don’s life will immediately follow and be held at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Les Leighty officiating. Memorials may be made to the “Villas of Holly Brook” to be used towards their activity fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.