Joseph P. Helmink, 70 of Teutopolis, died Tuesday morning, December 29, 2015 in Shelby County.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lillyville with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at the church with a 5:30 p.m. parish wake service and a 7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. Bauer Funeral Home in Teutopolis is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.bauerfh.com.

Joe was born July 3, 1945 in Effingham, the son of Herman and Isabelle (Ruholl) Helmink. He married Barbara A. "Barb" Hartke on September 7, 1968 and she survives. Joe was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lillyville, Lillyville Men's Society, Teutopolis Knights of Columbus Council #2874 and Cumberland County Farm Bureau. He was on the Board of Directors for the Norris Electric Cooperative and for the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District.  Joe was a loving husband and father, a lifelong farmer and a family man with a soft spot for his grandchildren.  He enjoyed good company, playing cards, fishing, and checking crops on his 4-wheeler.  Joe will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barb of Teutopolis; four sons, Tom (Marla) of Newton, Steve (Lisa) of Breese, Chris (Jassie Rios) of Washington, D.C. and Ted (Kelly) of Teutopolis; two daughters, Beth Helmink of Nashville, TN and Jeanine Helmink of Teutopolis; brothers, John (Betty) Helmink and Larry (Connie) Helmink; sisters, Barb (Don) Deters and Ann (Frank) Hemmen; grandchildren, Kenzie and Kelsey Helmink, Katie, Sam and Nick Helmink and Alaina and Malea Helmink.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clarence and Teresa Hartke; brothers-in-law, Melvin Hartke and Lonnie Phariss.