Donald Helminger

Donald Helminger, age 81, of Mansura, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Rapides Regional Hospital in Alexandria.

A Funeral Mass will be held in his honor beginning at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 21, 2025, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Mansura, with Fr. Irion St. Romain officiating. Visitation will begin at 8:00 AM until time of service on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura. Rosary will be recited at 10:00 AM. Entombment will commence at the St. Paul Catholic Mausoleum.

Donald was a talented painter who took great pride in his work and ran his own successful painting business for many years. He was known not only for his craftsmanship but also for the stories he loved to tell — especially those from his high school days on the basketball courts. He cherished every moment spent with his family, whether it was fishing with his sons and grandsons, dancing with his beloved wife Pam, or simply sharing laughs around the table. Gardening was another of his passions; he lovingly tended to his plants and enjoyed sharing the bounty of his vegetable garden with his neighbors. His warmth, humor, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew him. He will be remembered always with love and deeply missed.

Donald was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He leaves behind a legacy of love and family, survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Pam Helminger of Mansura; his sons, Jay (Carol) Helminger and Chad (Laura) Helminger, all of Mansura; his grandchildren, Nicholas (Michelle) Helminger of Carencro, Alex Helminger of Mansura, and Rachel (Dylan) Helminger of Lafayette; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Sophie and Reed Helminger. He is also survived by his sister, Myra Rabalais of Shreveport.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland Louis Helminger and Anna Ruth Bordelon Helminger, and his brother, Glenn Helminger.

Pallbearers will be Nicholas Helminger, Alex Helminger, Dylan Gauthier, Wayne Michel, Michael Mitchel, and Matthew Roussell. Honorary Pallbearer will be Leroy Bass.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Escude Funeral Home (318-964-2324) 6608 Porterie St. Mansura, LA 71350.