Darlene M. Helton

Darlene Mae (Powers) Helton, 93, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 3:40 a.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Pana Health and Rehab Center, Pana, IL.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, February 6, 2026, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Rev. Nathan Woolery officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – noon Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Helton Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to the Shelbyville Garden Club or St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shelbyville.

Darlene was born on February 16, 1932, in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of James “Otis” and Eva Esta Pfeiffer Powers. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1950 and continued her education at Sparks Business College in Shelbyville. Darlene married Clarence Joseph “Joe” Helton on May 6, 1956, and he preceded her in death on June 23, 2024. Darlene worked at Shelby Loan and Trust and then later as a bookkeeper for Shelby Electric Supply, Shelby Sheet Metal and the Helton farming operation. Darlene was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Red Hat Society both in Shelbyville. She enjoyed arranging flowers as a member of the Shelbyville Garden Club, clowning at Hardee’s, and playing shuffleboard at the Shelby County Senior Center.

Darlene is survived by her son, David Helton and wife Debra of Clermont, FL; daughter, Susan Wolz and husband Stephen of Glen Carbon, IL; three grandchildren, Deanna Nicole Lofton and husband Rodney of Davenport, FL, Olivia Wolz and Alexander Wolz both of Glen Carbon, IL; one great grandson, Kaelan David Lofton; sister-in-law, Joy Duckett of Shelbyville, IL; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe; brothers, Leland Powers (Roberta) and Darrell Powers (Eileen); and sisters, Jewell Isley (Elbert) and Lola Venters (Donald, Sr.).