Robert "Lefty" W. Helander

Robert “Lefty” Helander, 86 of Streator passed away Tuesday morning (Sept. 20^th) at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. 

A visitation will be held on Saturday from 10AM-12Noon at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 12Noon at the church.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Streator American Legion post #217 and Streator VFW post #1492.

Honorary pallbearers will be Art Rauhaus, Glen Linn, Lloyd K. Gasway and Kenny Jackson.  Serving as pallbearers will be family members.

Bob was born April 12, 1930 in Streator, IL to Walter and Frieda (Johnson) Helander.

He married Mary Gasway on November 26, 1955.  She survives. 

Also surviving are daughters, Susan and Kristina Helander both of Streator and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Frank, Adrian and Ralph Helander.

Bob graduated from Streator High School in 1950 and retired from LTV Steel in Hennepin after 27 yrs of service. 

Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1953.  He was instrumental in getting the Korean Memorial designed and built in the Streator City Park   He was a member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the ramp builders of the church, Streator American Legion and a life member of the Streator VFW where he volunteered many years with the funeral military ritual team. 

He enjoyed woodworking, making yard ornaments and gardening. 

Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Helander for a memorial to be established at a later date.