John Richard Helstrom passed from this earth to be in heaven with his Lord Jesus on May 26, 2026.

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, to John and Irene Helstrom on September 16, 1940. He grew up in Maize, Kansas, graduating high school with friends he kept close all his life. He joined the Marines in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1964. He maintained friendships with his military buddies across the years.

John worked hard as a grocery store manager, real estate agent, and aircraft mechanic. He retired from Boeing in 2006 and kept busy in the following years by volunteering in jail, hospital, nursing home, and other ministries. He went on mission trips to Russia, Dominican Republic, and to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.

But the joy of his life was his family. He is survived by his brother, Paul Wayne, wife Kathryn, and seven children: Richard, Diane, Paula, Dianna, Christina, Johnna, and Anita. He was papa to twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

A great storyteller, John loved hosting and attending events with family and friends. There were many Christmas and Easter parties at the Helstrom home in Sapulpa. Football and baseball and basketball games with kids and grandkids. Cookouts and trips to Branson with family and friends.

He lived with love and integrity in his heart. He shared the gospel, in word or deed, with everyone he met. He was wise and generous. He was known in many places as “Mr. Wonderful” for his silly humor and authentic concern for each person he met.

John lived 85 wonderful years on this earth, touching countless lives with his genuine warmth, strong faith, and sociable personality. Although he is now happily walking the streets of heaven with the saints, praising God continually, John will be greatly missed by all who loved him.