Dates
After 95 years of dedicated life in the Concho Valley, June Helwig embarked on her final journey at 10:30 AM on Monday, August 4, 2025. Her passing was serene and embraced by her children, Bonnie Helwig Huckabee, and Bill J. Helwig. June's life was remarkable, filled with joy, challenges, and steadfast devotion to her faith over the course of her 95 years.Born on July 21, 1930 as the eldest daughter of Otto and Augusta Kriegel in San Angelo, June spent her formative years primarily in Miles, alongside her sisters, Laverne Redman and Kay Bruce. Despite a few relocations between San Angelo and Whitefish, Montana, she remained a lifelong resident and a fervent supporter of her community, contributing significantly as a devoted farm wife in the Miles- Mereta-San Angelo area.At 18, after graduation as Valedictorian at Miles High School in 1948, she married in 1949 and moved to the south side of the Concho River with her new husband, Billy Joe Helwig, with whom she shared a rich family life and a marriage that lasted 60 years until his passing in 2010.
Following five years of living alone on the farm, June’s final relocation brought her to San Angelo, where she became a cherished member of the Rio Concho Manor patio home community, welcoming one and all new residents with her signature “Angel Food Cake.”Throughout her life, June was passionate about her faith, her family, and her commitment to agriculture and the communities of Miles and Mereta. She valued her church family and embraced opportunities for travel and lifelong learning. June exemplified love and respect for others, always aiming to "make the best better." She inspired those around her to show kindness and concern, taking proactive steps to enhance her community while quietly providing support to those in need and demonstrating leadership through her positive contributions.During her lifetime, she touched many lives in many different ways such as a PTA Mom, 4-H community and county leader, Texas Polled Hereford Women’s Auxiliary member, Miles Young Homemaker’s Assoc., Miles Trinity Lutheran Church Parishioner, West Texas Aggie Mom and Mereta/Veribest Home Demonstration Club Member/Leader, to name a few. Her example of “doing”, and not just talking was an inspiration to her children and those around her.In her later years, June thrived as a resident of the Rio Concho patio homes, cultivating friendships and maintaining connections with a wide circle of friends and family across the region. She participated in various activities, and her life, during this time, was enriched by her relationship with longtime acquaintance Merlin Hurt (deceased) of San Angelo. Additionally, she was profoundly supported by three exceptional individuals—Toni Gonzales, Sylvia Hernandez, and Maria Rodriguez —who contributed to her care, joy, and overall well-being.
June is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Helwig Huckabee and her husband Todd, as well as her son, Bill J. Helwig and his spouse Debi. She leaves behind grandchildren August Huckabee, Austin Huckabee, Georgia Monroe, Chad Helwig, Jodee Helwig Melton, and Brandon Howard along with 16 great-grandchildren. June is also survived by her two beloved sisters, Laverne Redman of Miles and Kay Bruce of Anaheim, California,and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Billy Joe Helwig, and an infant daughter, Kathy Helwig. Longtime family friend Alfred de la Garza of Mereta, Texas, also survives her.A "Celebration of Life" is scheduled for August 12, 2025, at 10:00 am at Miles Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 2203 Robinson, Miles, Texas. A visitation time with the family will be held immediately following the service at the church. Internment at the Miles Cemetery will be private.
A special thanks to the staff of Hospice of San Angelo, especially Mary Ponce, who gave June such excellent care and company in her last days. We are forever grateful for their support as we navigated this last season. We also appreciate her community who cared for her so well at the Rio Concho Patio Homes, especially her neighbor Nelda Carter, Shirley and Jerry Oeff and many others. In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations may be directed to 1) Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O Box 265, Miles Tx 76861 2) Hospice of San Angelo, 1933 University, San Angelo Tx 76904 3) Samaritan’s Purse Ministries, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607 or a charity of your choice. Thank you to all of you who made her life rich and full.