Wilbert Helbing

Wilbert A. “Bert” Helbing, 90, of Platteville died on Monday, December 8, 2014 at Southwest Health Center Hospital, Platteville. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2014 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Rev. Faustino Ruiz will officiate. Chapel military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #42 and VFW Post #5274. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Memorials may be made to the Wilbert “Bert” Helbing Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

Wilbert was born on October 11, 1924 in Dickeyville, Wisconsin, the son of Elmer and Anna (Roth) Helbing. He was united in marriage to Lucille Loch on July 22, 1950 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dubuque. Bert worked at John Deere, Dubuque, for eight years before farming fulltime in Smelser Township for twenty years. After farming he worked for Al Droessler Construction for a few years and then for many years he was a patrolman in Platteville Township. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing and hunting. Bert especially enjoyed family gatherings. He is survived by his wife, Lucille; four children, Diane (Stephen) Kolar; Dennis (Deb) Helbing; Kenneth (Sharon) Helbing; Steve (Liana) Helbing; ten grandchildren, Andrew (Shanna) Kolar, Jason and Scott Kolar, Chad Helbing, Jenna (John) Rankin, Krista Helbing, Haven Helbing, Kelsey, Karley, and Kortney Toso; three great-grandchildren, Colton and Mya Kolar and Sadie Rankin; three sisters, Hazel (Buzz) Knebel, Katie Tigges, and Lorraine Leute; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, children, Donald and Darlene in infancy and Tammy, sisters, Marie Klaas, Berneice Pitzen, Mildred Pitzen and Melinda Helbing, brothers, Adam, Howard, Walter, and Harold “Dick” Helbing.