On Friday, November 18, 2022, Donald Lewis Hellstern, passed away at home peacefully into the arms of his Savior. He passed surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer.

Don was born October 27, 1945, in St. Louis Missouri, to Vernon and Ruth Eckhardt Hellstern. He graduated from Webster Grove High School in 1964 and attended Missouri University. Don enlisted in the Army in 1966. He served as a Paratrooper and Parachute Rigger, and he received an honorable discharged in 1970. His army years were served in Korea and Germany.

On November 15, 1974, Don joined hands in marriage with Suzanne Reeder Hellstern, of Raytown Missouri. They moved to Ballwin Missouri in 1977 where they bought their first home in anticipation of starting a family. They were blessed by the birth of their son Jonathan Reeder Hellstern on February 9, 1981.

Don began his career working in the field of fluid power alongside of his father. Even though not formally trained as an engineer, Don worked alongside some of the top engineers in the mobile hydraulic field, designing and innovating new products. He was always an avid listener, to sharpen his mind and skills. Hours of pencil work, then CAD drawings, to perfect his ideas that he shared with schooled engineers. He was well respected in the industry.

Don had a lifelong spirit of entrepreneurship, founding many businesses and refining his interests in; writing, clock collecting, garden design, inventions, genealogy research, stamp collecting, photography, fly fishing, videography, woodworking, and cooking to name a few.

Dons’ solid faith journey began at College Church of the Nazarene when he was invited by a friend to attend Promise Keepers in Minneapolis, Minnesota and recommitted his life to Christ. Don took a leadership role in College Church’s Men’s Bible Study, seeking to spiritually improve men’s lives.

In March of 2009, Don received a diagnosis of Head and Neck cancer. He began a grueling treatment schedule that same year.

His first granddaughter was born in 2010. His second granddaughter followed in 2013. He set out to devote time to loving and growing around his granddaughters.

Don was declared cancer free in 2014. In the fall of 2021 cancer attacked his body once more. Don’s spiritual life deepened even further, relying on God’s strength and grace. Don and Susan woke every day saying to each other, “Today is the best day of our lives”.

He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Hellstern in January 1996.

He is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne Ruth Reeder Hellstern, his mother, Ruth Eckhardt Hellstern, his son, Jonathan Reeder Hellstern, daughter in law, Julie Kristine Hellstern, granddaughters, Anna Kristine, and Chloe Sue. Also, his brother, Ron Hellstern (MaryEllen) and his sister, Deborah McGonagle (Craig). He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Forever we will remember the life of this wonderful man.