George G. Helopoulos

George Gus Helopoulos, born July 13, 1921, in Kankakee, died Saturday (Feb. 1, 2014) at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. George was the first born of Gust and Acrivy Helopoulos, Greek immigrants to America who were charter members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kankakee. George was best known as the owner of George's Shoes, for many years on Court Street, across from St. Mary's Hospital. He established the business in 1951, concentrating on shoe repair. His father had a shoe repair business for 47 years on East Avenue in Kankakee and his father before him had made and repaired shoes in Greece. Eventually, George progressed to more new shoe sales and sold the business to his son, Dino. He, in turn, moved the shoe store to Bourbonnais when St. Mary's Hospital acquired the property on Court Street. Dino has now converted the store to Red Wing Shoe Store in Bourbonnais. He operates it with his son, Mike, the fifth generation Helopoulos in the shoe business. George was married to Shirley Ruth Buchanek, of Parsons, Kan., in 1953. They were lifelong partners in George's Shoes and had five children. George was a lifelong member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Kankakee, at one time serving as president of the Church Council. He served his country in the 96th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, participating in the U.S. Invasion of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines during World War II and was honorably discharged at the end of the war, having achieved the rank of sergeant. George was, for many years, a member of local chapters of the American Legion, the BPOE (the Elks club), and the AHEPA (the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association). He loved food and family, especially food with family. George was a familiar fisherman of the Kankakee River where he was often known locally as "Mr. Walleye." He played a mean game of checkers into his final year. George was preceded in death by his much-beloved wife, Shirley; brother, Spero (of Kankakee); sister, Alex (Zerites); daughter, Kathy (Forgey, of Chesterton, Ind.); and his grandson, Dan (Forgey, of Chesterton, Ind.). He is survived by his son, Chris (and wife, Terry), of Largo, Fla.; daughter, Jenny (and husband, Craig Goselin), of Lake Oswego, Ore.; son, Dino (and wife, Cheryl), of Bonfield; and his son, Andy (and partner Eddie Anthony), of Los Angeles, Calif. George is also survived by one sister, Jennie Lenard, of Joliet; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and by many extended family members. Visitation for George Helopoulos will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, followed by a brief prayer service conducted by Father William Conjelko. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Kankakee. Mr. Helopoulos will be interred immediately after at Mound Grove Gardens of Memory, Kankakee, next to his beloved wife of 47 years, Shirley. Memorials may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Memorials may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

George G. Helopoulos

July 13, 1921 - February 1, 2014