June Helsel

June Charlene Helsel, age 91, of Cantril, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua. June’s life will be celebrated with a funeral service on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua, officiated by Kevin Mote. Visitation will begin an hour prior to the service, and burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril. Memorials in June’s honor may be directed to Maple Grove Cemetery or the Cantril Fire Department and maybe left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 146, Cantril, IA 52542. Condolences can be shared online at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Born on June 9, 1934, in Scotland County, Missouri, to Otto and Thema Mae Webber Abernethy, June grew up in Cantril and graduated from Cantril High School in 1952. That same year, she married Harold “Bill” William Helsel at Prairie View Church in Azen, Missouri. Together, they built a life on the family farm south of Cantril, where June worked side by side with Bill, tending livestock—especially chickens—and helping with field work.

June’s work ethic extended beyond the farm. She held positions at Sheaffer Pen in Fort Madison and the Glove Factory in Bonaparte. She had also owned and operated H&H Antiques in Cantril. Later in life, she began selling insurance for Horace Mann, a career from which she enjoyed and eventually retired.

June was known for her love of the outdoors, whether she was riding her bike, working in the yard, or tending her garden. Her homemade egg noodles were famous among family and friends, and her zest for life was evident in everything she did. At age 81, she purchased a Harley Davidson Trike and delighted in cruising the roads, embracing adventure at every stage of life.

A regular at Dutchman’s Store for lunch, June cherished these social gatherings as opportunities to connect with friends and stay involved in the Cantril community. She was a member of the former Cantril Christian Church, the Happy Hour Club, and the Eastern Star in Douds.

June’s legacy lives on through her daughter, Cindy Bruce; her granddaughter, Michelle Bruce; nephews Max Sharp (Trudy), Ritchie and Ron (Billie) Abernethy; nieces Rita Shafer and Linda Anderson (Mike); and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Bill, brothers Beryl and Bill Abernethy, and her sister Juanita Sharp.

June Helsel will be remembered for her warmth, her adventurous spirit, and her unwavering dedication to family and community.