John Helmkamp

John “Jack” Gilbert Helmkamp, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 19, 2025. He was 78. Born on March 24, 1947, in Alton, IL, he was the son of the late John Gilbert Helmkamp Sr. and Flossie Emma (Schwartz).

On January 23, 1971, Jack married Elizabeth “Beth” Whitney in Anderson, IN. She survives, along with their three sons and their families: John Gilbert Helmkamp III of Edwardsville, IL, and his daughters Taylor and Ella, along with his wife Ashlee; Ryan Helmkamp and his wife Kelsey of Newell, Iowa, and their children Jack, Lane, Jesse, and Kate; and Darren Helmkamp of Kirkwood, MO, and his children Chase and Anna, along with his fiancée Jenna. Jack is also survived by two sisters, Janice Farrell (Byron) of Marco Island, FL, and Jane Hadley of Charlotte, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Gregg Hadley.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Gent Funeral Home in Alton, IL. A memorial service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, IL.

Jack graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial Management and built a career that began in construction at Helmkamp Construction before transitioning into banking at Illinois State Bank.

An advocate for civic progress, Jack chaired the East Alton Ice Arena Committee. He co-chaired the Clark Bridge Steering Committee, playing a vital role in completing the iconic Clark Bridge in 1994. He was also involved in the extension of Illinois Route 255, working alongside key regional leaders.

Jack enjoyed serving the community. He served on the boards of Lewis and Clark Community College—where he helped renovate and elevate the nursing program—Alton Memorial Hospital, Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation, Operation Blessing, the Alton-Wood River Chapter of the Red Cross, Twin Rivers Chamber of Commerce, and the Southwestern Illinois Industrial Association. He was given the Riverbend Growth Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and he was inducted into the East Alton-Wood River High School Hall of Fame.

Jack served for 25 years with United Way and was presented with the Charles A. Bane Humanitarian Award of Excellence. The award recognized a lifetime of service to the people of Illinois and the United Way movement.

He also received the “Service Above Self” Award from the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club in 2019 and was a member of the Young Presidents Organization, the Alton Nature League, and served as choir director at St. John’s United Church of Christ. A three-time Lockhaven Country Club Golf Champion, Jack loved spending time on the golf course with his family and especially cherished the memories they made together. He enjoyed family vacations and, later in life, traveling the world with his wife, Beth. Jack was also a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues, and found joy in hunting and the outdoors.

But most important of all was that Jack placed his faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul at a young age. His faith was important to Him and he strived to live his life according to the golden rule “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter. When giving, please click “Dedicate this Donation” and enter Jack Helmkamp in the “Honoree Name” box. Details for memorial contributions, service information, and an online guestbook are available at www.gentfuneralhome.com.