Obituary

Beloved father Augustus Mason Helmintoller Jr. age 89, of Sun City, AZ passed away peacefully on December 17, 2020 at the Eckstein Hospice Center in Scottsdale, AZ surrounded by his children. The cause of death was complications of COVID pneumonia. He was placed to rest in the Allegheny Memorial Park in Low Moor, VA with his parents.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Katharine Forstall Helmintoller, his parents Augustus Mason Helmintoller Sr. and Hallie May Mann Helmintoller, his siblings Lamont Helmintoller, Patricia Talbert, Betty Jo Lilly, and brother-in-law Stewart Lilly.

Mason aka “Mace” was born in 1931 in Roncevert, VA. He graduated from Hinton High School and served in the US Marine Corps prior to graduating from West Virginia University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He went to work for General Electric in Cincinnati, OH where over a career of 40 years he received many awards and two US patents for his inventions. Many would consider him a member of the “greatest generation”.

Mason was an active member of Mensa International, WVU Alumni Association, and the Southwestern Writers Association who published several of his personal essays. He enjoyed bicycling, sailing, playing bridge, doing crossword puzzles, reading and writing, traveling, French as a second language, and spending time with his family whom he adored. In his later life he participated in ballroom dancing and was the president of his local dance club in Sun City for many years.

He is survived by his children Stuart Helmintoller (Joyce), Evelyn Stanford (Adam), Thomas Helmintoller (Suzy), his grandsons Alexander Helmintoller and Lucas Helmintoller, sister Virginia Kendrick (Bill), sister-in-law Janet Helmintoller, brother-in-law James Talbert, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lloyd and Jean Forstall, and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He will be greatly missed and will remain in our hearts forever.