August 4, 1951 – April 10, 2026
Kenneth Lawrence Helregel, age 74, of rural Sainte Marie, Illinois, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 17th, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois, with Father Tom Philip celebrating mass. Burial will be at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Sainte Marie, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, April 16th, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, and again from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, before mass. In loving memory of Kenneth, memorials may be made to Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Sainte Marie, Illinois. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Kenneth Lawrence, known to those who loved him as Ken or Kenny, was born on August 4th, 1951, in Tuscola, Illinois, the son of Lawrence and Eugenia ‘Jeanie’ (Kirts) Helregel. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1969, many of whom were lifelong friends. He was a proud 1973 graduate of the University of Illinois alongside his dear friends, the ‘Clods.’ On July 10th, 1976, he was united in marriage with Mary Ochs, beginning a life of love and steadfast devotion.
Ken managed Willow Hill Grain for thirty years and went on to work at Mont Eagle Mills as he farmed with his son Shannon, brother Dave and nephew Adam. He was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member. Ken enjoyed checking crops and going on family vacations. He went out of his way to be kind to everyone and took pride in a job well done. Ken loved his family, farming and he his Illini.
Ken is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Mary Helregel, as well as his favorite son Shannon (Jennifer) Helregel of Lawrenceville, Illinois and his favorite daughter Laura (Lee) Rinella of Columbia, Illinois. Four grandchildren – Allyson, Grant, Eleanor and Benjamin. Three sisters: Cathy (Howard) Curtis, Peg (Bill) Claxton, Karen (Gary) Doherty and two brothers: Dave (Kathy) Helregel and Dennis (Angela) Helregel. In-laws: Harold Ochs, Sue Ochs, Carol (Don) Hahn, Eileen Ochs, Sharon Watson, Helen (Andy) Grunloh, Kathy (David) Helregel and Thresa Robards, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Jeanie Helregel, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Lorraine “Johnny” and Dorothy Ochs, Romonna Ochs; In-laws: Joann and Kenny Mette, Mary and Neil Ochs, Leo Ochs, Allen Ochs and Brad Robards; a nephew, Keith Mette.
