Don Lauer Helphrey, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Mt. Union, died, Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Danville Care Center. He was born April 20, 1929 in Burlington, Iowa to Chester Cornic and Lela Marie Lauer Helphrey. On July 20, 1958 he married Norma Lea Wollam at the Mt. Union United Methodist Church.
His first three years of school were at Center Country School in Mt. Union; he graduated from Mt. Union Consolidated Schools and attended Iowa Wesleyan College for two years. Don served two years in the United States Army with basic training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, then was shipped to Heidelberg, Germany and was honorably discharged as a Corporal. He farmed the family farm for fifty years before retiring.
He served on the Mt. Union Cooperative Elevator Company Board of Directors from 1977 – 1989 and was President the last five years. He was a member of the Winfield VFW, Winfield American Legion, and was a 50+ year member of the New London Country Club. From 1964 until 2015, he volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers with the Mt. Union Booster Club and in 1998 was named Old Thresher of the Year by the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association. Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, dancing with his wife Norma, attending local sporting events, and spending precious time with his family.
Survivors include his wife; children Steve Helphrey of Appleton, Wisconsin, Joni Helphrey Lewis of Windsor, Wisconsin, and Terry (Lisa) Helphrey of LaVista, Nebraska; and five grandchildren, Brittany, Dante, Ashley, Anna and Reid. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Anna Maxine.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.