Bruce James

Helferstay Jr.

Bruce James Helferstay Jr. son of Bruce Helferstay Sr. and the late Emma Degunya Helferstay was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 13, 1956. He departed this life at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on December 11, 2016, at the age of 60.

Bruce was a member of the Barnesville Masonic Lodge #353. Bruce has been a police officer since 1988. He was presently employed by the City of Ellington; he was a former police officer for the City of Birch Tree, Ironton, Iron Mountain and Annapolis, and a former sheriff's deputy for Reynolds County. He was also an EMT. Bruce was an auctioneer and volunteered those services for people in need. He enjoyed shooting pool, fishing, hunting, playing corn hole, playing poker and the lottery.

Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Helferstay.

Bruce is survived by his father, Bruce Helferstay Sr. of St. Louis, Missouri, four sons, Robbie Helferstay and wife Pamela of St. Louis, MO, Kevin Helferstay of Ellington, MO, Josh Politte of Sullivan, MO, Garth Slack of Lebanon, MO, six daughters, Tina Louise Kennedy of Lebanon, MO, Amanda Ball and husband Damien of Ellington, MO, Dannielle Meyers of Lebanon, MO, Paullette Slack of Springfield, MO, China Slack of Lebanon, MO, Tara Helferstay of Ellington, MO, 19 grandchildren, Colby, Corey, Angel, Dravin, Kylee, Xaiver, Aura, Mavrick, Lyli-Ann, Brandon, Zackery, Katlyn, RJ, Danny, Maliki, Gavin, Leo, Eliza and Chevelle, one brother, James Helferstay of Maryland Heights, MO, and one sister, Laura Helferstay of St. Louis, MO. Bruce will be deeply missed by a host of relatives and many friends who will mourn his passing.

Visitation: Wednesday, December 14th 5 to 8 PM

Funeral Services: Thursday, December 15th 1 PM at McSpadden Funeral Home

Minister:

Burial: Ellington Memorial Cemetery

Pallbearers: Kaleb McCoy, Mark Freeman, Steve Stoops, Tom Stout and Donald Horn.

Arrangements by McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, Missouri

In lieu of flowers: St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or McSpadden Funeral Home for funeral expenses.