Harold Helander

DIXON – Harold J. Helander, 86, of Dixon, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, at his home after an extended illness.

He was born Jan. 20, 1924, in Pittsville, Wis., the son of Otto and Josephine (Sundvall) Helander. He married Charlotte E. Bowers on Jan. 6, 1946, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dixon. She preceded him in death on Feb. 21, 2007. Harold was a World War II Army veteran, having served in the North Africa campaign.

He farmed in the Dixon-Polo area his entire life. He also was a self-employed mason contractor for 30 years, and a member of Local 6 Bricklayers union for more than 60 years. He was a 60-plus year member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dixon. In his spare time, he was an avid sports fan and followed the Chicago White Sox for more than 60 years.

He is survived by daughters, Linda Helander of Dixon and Judy (Roger) Barnard of Polo; sons, Eric (Diane), Jock (Maria), and Richard (Doris) Helander, all of Dixon; one granddaughter, Alissa Helander of Dixon; grandsons, Tory Willard of Amboy, Brad Helander and Chris (Liz) Helander of Chicago, and Aaron and Alex Helander of Dixon.

He also was preceded in death by sisters, Alice Schoen, Lillian Nelson, Violet Smith, Edna Marrs, and Mildred Loescher; brothers, John and Tony Helander; and one granddaughter, Brenda Helander.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dixon, with the Rev. Frank Langholf officiating. Burial, with military honors accorded by the combined Dixon veterans group, will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Dixon. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Dixon, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to “Feed the Children Fund,” Dixon Veterans’ Memorial Park fund, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.