Era Sibyl Helmbeck

Era Sibyl Helmbeck, of Sherwood, left this life on January 16, 2015 to be with her husband William G "Will" Helmbeck; her daughter, Polly Reinold; her brothers, E.J. "Bill" and Melvin "Shorty"; and sisters, Rosamond, Vera, Audrey, Hazel, and Helen. She was born September 13, 1923 to Era and E.J. Gates, Sr. and grew up in Clark and Union Counties in Arkansas. During World War II, Sibyl enlisted in the United States Coast Guard SPARS with her father's signed permission. She received yeomen's training after declining opportunities to train as a telephone operator and a nurse. She was given KP duty after declining each of these opportunities, but insisted that the recruiter said she would be given yeomen's training. She served at bases in Miami, Florida, and Washington DC. While in the Spars, she served as a Red Cross volunteer at both civilian and military hospitals. Sibyl returned to Arkansas after her military service and found a job in the office of the Sadler Ross Car Dealership where she met Will Helmbeck. They started dating and married in December 1946. They settled down in Sylvan Hills and began a family. They had a daughter, Polly and a son, Bob. After Polly and Bob were both in school, Sibyl began working for the IRS and continued to work there until she retired. After her retirement, Will and Sibyl traveled to SPAR reunions and to visit family. Sibyl was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church which she joined shortly after her marriage. She leaves behind a son, Bob Helmbeck and wife Betty; three grandchildren, Michelle Reinold, Michael Helmbeck, Amy Biggs and husband John; and two great-grandchildren, Heather Reinold and Madeline Biggs. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends whom she loved dearly. The family appreciates the care and attention Sibyl received at Elmcroft of Sherwood. They also appreciate the care and attention given to Sibyl by the doctors and nurses at Springhill Baptist Medical Center including the ER, the Progressive Care Unit, and Baptist Hospice Care. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 23, at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116 (501-791-7400). The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3802 N. Olive St., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude's Hospital, www.stjude.org; Trinity Lutheran Church, or an organization of your choice. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.