Robert Lealon Helton, Sr., age 73, of Vienna, was born on September 12, 1948, at Dixon, a son of Lonnie Richard and Mildred Pauline (Edwards) Helton, and passed from this life Friday, May 6, 2022, in the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia.

He entered active federal service in the United States Army in 1968 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1970.  During his military career, Robert took his initial training at Fort Leonard Wood and was later transferred to Anchorage, Alaska, where he was  stationed for the remainder of his of military service.

He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in 1971 and followed Him in baptism in the Gasconade River, near the Riddle Bridge, south of Dixon, while attending Gasconade Baptist Church, near the river.  At the time of his passing, he was a faithful member of Victory Hill Baptist Church, near Dixon.  He was dedicated in serving his Lord and Savior and had been Vacation Bible School Director at his church for 20 years.

During his working life, he was self-employed as owner and operator of  Helton Logging, Helton Trucking, and R. L. Helton Excavating, Weatherford, Texas, until his retirement. Robert was a diligent, good-natured individual, who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, coon hunting, and playing music, especially Merle Haggard tunes.

Those left to mourn the passing of Robert include:  His three children, Robert Lealon Helton, Jr, of Blackwater; Rebecca Jo Haston and husband, Alan, of Keytesville; and Stephen Wayne Helton, of Blackwater; three step-children, Garry Allen, of Dixon; and Anthony Allen and Kimberly Allen, both of San Antonio, Texas; sixteen grandchildren, Robert III, Cassidy, Courtney, Hunter, Aurora, Kendall, Kyleigh, Sawyer, Bethany, Maggie, Brandon, Clayton, Jentry, Zackary, Sterling, and Karlo; three great-grandchildren, Addie Jo, Everlee, and Jaxon; his brother and sisters; Richard Helton and wife, Carolyn, and Anna Marie Wooters, all of Wright City; and Dorothy Robertson and husband, George, of Vienna; nieces; nephews; with greats and great-greats as well; and many other relatives and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his father, Lonnie (12-18-1980); his mother, Mildred (4-7-1998); and two sisters and one brother, Carlous Wheeler, Sue Zimmerman, and Nancy Johnson.

Visitation for Mr. Robert Lealon Helton, Sr. will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon, Monday, May 9, 2022, with funeral services following at 12:00 Noon, all in the Victory Hill Baptist Church, 40658 Highway DD, Dixon, Missouri 65459, with his pastor, Rev. Dennis Nichols, and his brother, Richard Helton, officiating, under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.

Interment with full military honors will be in the Freedom Cemetery, near Dixon. Pallbearers for Mr. Helton will be Ricky Wheeler, Curtis Wooters, Chris Wooters, Mark Robertson, Mark Peroutka, and Brad Robertson. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert L. Helton III, Brandon Helton, Kendall Haston, Hunter Helton, Sawyer Randolph, Clayton Allen, Zackary Allen, Paul Helton, and Dan Amick.

Fond and precious memories of Robert will always be in the hearts of his dear family and all who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Robert Lealon Helton, Sr.  are suggested by his family to Victory Hill Baptist Church, Freedom Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund, or per the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the church day of service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Missouri 65582.