Robert "Bob" Helton

Robert “Bob” Helton

March 27, 1926 – April 11, 2024

Robert “Bob” Helton, age 98 of Lebanon, OH, passed away at home with family on April 11, 2024. 

 He was born in Hyden, Kentucky, and was the son of the late Elisha Helton and Nancy “Lizzie” (Caldwell) Helton. He grew up in Crab Orchard KY with ten brothers and sisters: Stella, Dee, Charlie, Virgie, Bessie, Leona, Ray, Jasper, E.L. Jr., and James. 

 An Army veteran, Bob served in WWII from 1945-46 on the pacific island of New Caledonia. He then moved to Ohio with his two brothers where they did construction and built many homes and businesses around the Highpoint, Mason and Lebanon areas. Bob loved Reds baseball and was a booster of the Mason High School girls basketball team. He raised honeybees and was a member of the SouthWestern Ohio Beekeepers Association. He also raised show chickens, pheasants, and peacocks. An avid hunter, he enjoyed taking old firearms and converting them to sporting rifles.

 Bob is survived by his wife Jennie (Martin) Helton; step-sons: Christopher (Tonya) Adams and Grant Adams; sons: Charlie (Brenda) Helton and Robert Ernest Helton (deceased); grand-children: Ricky Helton (deceased), Robbie (Shelly) Helton, Erica (Brent) Bachochin; and great grandchildren: Molly, Joshua, Brandon, Sandi, Bryce, and Easton. 

 His family and friends will miss him dearly. At times of loss, Bob would recite the Carter Family song “Give Me Roses While I Live.”

Wonderful things of folks are said

When they have passed away

Roses adorn their narrow bed

Over the sleeping clay

 Give me the roses while I live

Trying to cheer me on

Useless are flowers that you give

After the soul has gone

 Let us not wait to do good deeds

Till they have passed away

Now is the time to sow good seeds

While here on earth we stay

Memorial Visitation will take place at the Hodapp Funeral Homes 8815 Cincinnati-Columbus Rd. (Rt 42), West Chester, Wednesday, April 24th from 5PM until Military Honors at 7PM.