W. Craig Hellmers

PEKIN ~ William Craig Hellmers, 83, of 418 Caroline Street, passed away at 12:43 p.m. Monday, December 20, 2010 at the Pekin Hospital Emergency Room.

He was born March 9, 1927 in Pekin to Rudolph and Esther Hannah (Davidson) Hellmers.  His parents preceded him in death.  He also was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence John Hellmers.Surviving are one daughter, Rosilea E. "Rosie" (Thomas) Gueldner of Port Aransas, TX; three grandchildren, Hayley Gueldner, Joshua Gueldner and Zachary Gueldner, all of Port Aransas; seven great-grandchildren, Banya, Ryley, Clinton, Michael, Malachi, Makayla and Mackenzie and one sister, A. Gertrude “Trudy” Hellmers of Pekin.

Craig was a World War II Marine Corps Veteran and attained the rank of Private First Class.

A graduate of the former St. John's Lutheran School in Pekin, he was a 1945 graduate of Pekin Community High School.  He graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1949.  He was a longtime art teacher at Edison Junior High School for Pekin Public Schools District 108.

Craig will be remembered as an artist, carver and teacher.  He formerly had his studio near Spring Lake State Conservation Area and the Chautauqua National Refuge where he spent much of his time in the field.  He also raised upland game birds and waterfowl for close-up study.  His work, featuring wildlife and the American West, is in galleries and private collections in the U.S., Canada and Australia.  Many of his carvings, as well as those of his students, have won awards in major international competitions.  He also worked as a commercial artist.He was of the Lutheran faith. 

Craig was also proud to be a life member of the National Rifle Association and a longtime Eagle Scout Leader.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Monday, December 27, 2010 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  The Rev. Mark A. Miller will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour before the funeral.  Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Marine Corps and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 AC Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL  32256.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com