Helfer

Dean J. Helfer, 89, of Penn Township, died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He was born July 11, 1937 in Westerville, Ohio, and was the son of Ellen (Anson) Helfer and Arthur L. Helfer.

Dean graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1959 with an Electrical Engineering degree. Upon graduation, he was employed by Duquesne Light Company, in various engineering, supervisory and managerial positions.

Dean was stationed at Fort Benning with the U.S. Army Reserves and while employed with Duquesne Light.

Dean continued his education at Carnegie Mellon University by attending night classes and graduated with an industrial management degree.

Dean met Kathryn Smith, from Mt. Holly, N.J., while both were students in Virginia. They were married upon his discharge from the Army. They were blessed with three beautiful children, Dean Jr, Margaret Ellen (Maggie) and Brian.

In 1975, the Helfers moved from Mt. Lebanon to a farm in Penn Township. By day, Dean worked in Pittsburgh, and by night he worked his apple orchard and horse boarding farm.

Dean was president of the West Penn Track Club and was an active member of the Jaycees, Elks, Kiwanis, ASHRAE and the WPA Fruit Growers Association. Dean was a member of the Penn Township Veterans Association, Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church (now St. Mark’s), the Butler Farm Show Board of Directors, Butler County 4-H, and Pittsburgh City Farmers.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Kathryn S. Helfer; his children, Dean Jr. (Shelley) of Bethel Park, Maggie Chevalier of Mill Valley, Calif., and Brian (Amy) of Butler; one brother, Keith Helfer of Columbus, Ohio; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Sandy Helfer of Columbus, Ohio.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thad; and his sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Clint Smith III.

HELFER — Viewing for Dean J. Helfer, who died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at FOX FUNERAL HOME in Saxonburg.

A Mass of Christian burial for Dean will be celebrated at noon Thursday, Nov. 5, at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church.

Interment will be in the Brownsdale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Dean’s memory to Butler County 4-H or St. Mark’s Catholic Church.

For more information, please visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.