Danny Helton 1933-2026
Danny Joe Helton, 92, passed away April 1, 2026, in Topeka.
He was born July 7, 1933, on a farm near Holton, the son of Wesley and Maxine Helton. He was raised near Holton and spent summers with his grandparents on the farm. He then moved to Atchison and graduated from Atchison High School.
Danny joined the Navy and spent two years on a Navy carrier stationed at Sangley Point, Philippine Islands.
After service, he lived in Texas for two years and then returned to Kansas. He worked for Dupont in Tecumseh in the accounting department and the power plant. He was one of the first 50 employees hired and retired after 35 1/2 years. He also worked for 10 years at a pawn shop, where he got to know the diamond and gun business.
While growing up, many stories have been told how much Danny could eat after working on the farm. Cousin Dorothy cooked many meals and says Danny would eat a whole chicken, at least six ears of corn, all of the trimmings and finish the watermelon.
Danny had two younger sisters who he had to lock out of his room. They would raid his room and take his candy bars and comic books so the door was always locked. When he left for the service, he was so kind that he gave Gloria and Carol his candy bars that he guarded, they were “white with age” but at least the sisters didn’t get them. Most Sundays you would find Danny and his two sisters and families having dinner in Holton with mom cooking.
Danny’s “first love” has always been cars. The first one he worked for was a 1934 Ford that cost him $50. Six months later he came up in the world and bought a 1938 Chevy Coupe.
Danny’s retirement hobbies included spending many hours doing yard work and bird watching, his favorites being the purple martins. He had two pet squirrels and two ferrets. He loved to fish but never liked cleaning them. Oh yes – the computer; he had the latest and loved to browse for hours.
He was a member of the Masons Blue Lodge in 1980 and became a Shriner in 1981, VFW, American Legion, Orient Lodge, Scottish Rite and Arab Temple, all of Topeka. He belonged to the Provost Guard Unit and had served as secretary-treasurer for four years, captain for two years and chief for two years. Danny really enjoyed the people and the activities of the Lodges and Shrine.
Survivors include a son; two daughters, Peggy Szikles (Jim) and Juleanna Tesh (Timothy); a stepson, Randy (PJ); a sister, Carol “Mouse” Reichle; eight grandchildren, Natalie, Bryan, Ryan, Crystal, Anastasia, Nathan, Katie and Sage; nine great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Bella.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-son, Rick Adair; and a sister, Gloria Peterson.
Inurnment with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at Bucks Grove Cemetery. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is assisting the family with arrangements.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
