Robert Perry Hellem

September 22, 1926 - April 6, 2016

Robert Perry Hellem, age 89, passed peacefully on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 after suffering a stroke. He and Barbara Claire (Sanborn) were grade school sweethearts. They married New Years Eve 1948 after he returned from Japan during WWII. He was born and raised in the Chicago, IL area, moving to Derby, KS in 1997 and to Bartlesville, OK in 2013. Bob worked for Kraft Foods as a Packaging Coordinator for 38 years. His idea of wrapping American Cheese in single slices changed the way we make sandwiches. Bob was an excellent fix-it man from an early age. He took things apart and was able to put them back together better than before. He was an avid fisherman, ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat and also built and flew many radio controlled planes. Bob and Barbara loved to travel and made many trips in the US, Europe, Asia and Africa. Bob is survived by his wife Barbara. Daughter, Gail & Chuck Kinder of DeKalb, IL, son, Keith & Kay Hellem of Bartlesville, OK, son, Richard & Nancy Hellem of Kansas City, MO. He was blessed with seven grandchildren: Robert Hellem, Bob & Beth Tierney, Barbara & Dan Flanagan, Kimberly & Darren Alexander, Kyle & Laura Hellem, Julie & Bill Cox, Stephen & Amanda Hellem. Great-grandchildren: Sarah, Cody, Kyle, Caden, Sean, Ryan, Kyrsten, Will, Taylor, Candyce, Savannah, Brittney, Destiny, Tristan, Christain, William, Silas, Caleb and Braxton. Also surviving are half siblings: Trudy Rafelson, Judy Fenza, Scott Hellem, Rusty Hellem and Joy Hellem. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Ernest and Martha G. (Ashdown) Hellem and brother, Lloyd Hellem. A celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Walker-Brown Funeral Home.