Gene Helmkamp literally was born and raised in Moro, growing up around Helmkamp Implement and helping his father, Elmer, who was a machinist and blacksmith. Gene’s grandfather, Edward, opened his blacksmith business in Moro in 1905 and from there was born a hardware store, blacksmithing, implement repairs, Model T sales and eventually a John Deere dealership. Gene not only spent time learning from his father and uncles but from his maternal grandfather William, who barbered, mined coal, delivered a rural mail route which Gene had the opportunity to ride along as a boy, and worked on local farms. He attended Moro school through the 8th grade and graduated in 1957 from Edwardsville High. He graduated on the Dean’s List from SIUC with an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology and continued one more year at SIU in Alton. Gene served in the Army Reserves with an ES rating and trained in fixed-wing aircraft maintenance.

Gene and his wife Janet, high school sweethearts, married in 1961. Todd was the first child born in 1963 followed by a daughter, Wendy born in 1966. Following employment both in the automotive field and John Deere Industrial sales, they built their first shop and opened Helmkamp Auto Service on April 1, 1967. Two years and business growth required an addition in 1969 to the building and staff. In 1970 another son Michael was born. In 1976, due to business growth, a building directly behind the shop facing State Hwy 140 was purchased, renovated and offered more space and service capabilities. HAS incorporated in 1982 and in 1987, a new shop was built at the present location and opened in its current quarters officially October 19th of that year. The previous two buildings were rented and eventually sold. 

Todd, Wendy and Mike have memories of growing up in and working in the family business as do their parents. Both Todd and Mike are now more responsible for the management for the business as Gene and Jan are slowly entering their retirement. Wendy is very successful in her line of custom clothing.

Gene holds his ASE Master Technician and Advanced Technician certifications plus certified in various trucks areas. Gene is a member of the Bethalto Rotary, a past member and president of the Missouri Automotive Association, member of EAA(Experimental Aircraft Association) and is Young Eagle Coordinator for the local chapter, EAA chapter 864 based at St. Louis Regional Airport and is a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church where he served as an Elder and School Board member and chair. Gene’s favorite hobby is flying and the history. He received his private pilot’s license in 1968 followed by his IFR rating. After flying many types of single engine airplanes, he built his own, an RV6A, which he now flies.

Janet Helmkamp, born Janet K Neumann, is a life- long resident of Bethalto as was her father. Jan attended school in Bethalto and Graduated from Civic Memorial. She attended some classes at the Alton campus of SIU during the time her future husband was serving basic training in the Army.

Her grandfather, Tobias, was family head of Neumann Construction in Bethalto and responsible for many of the older schools, homes and churches constructed here. Grandfather Tobias, served as mayor in the early 1930’s and was responsible for the first paving of Prairie Street much to some resident’s disagreement. Her father Edward, and two brothers grew up in the family business which continued until the eldest brother, Walter passed. Eventually the family construction business ended. Janet remembers well as a child that anything you did wrong usually got to your parents before she or her brother, Gary, returned home.

Janet married her high school sweet heart Gene. They began dating in her freshman year at CM and his senior year at Edwardsville. She belonged to many organizations during high school and worked in the office at Shell Oil upon graduation. Gene and Janet moved to Kewaunee, Il. For two years while Gene was fulfilling some work related training. Jan worked in the local office at Illinois Power and part-time at JCPenny during this period and first son Todd, was born. After moving back to Bethalto, she again was employed by Shell Oil until their daughter, Wendy, joined the family.

The first workshop was built starting in late 1966 and business opened April 1, 1967. Janet helped with the business with the bookkeeping, running errands and cleaning the shop. By 1969 it became a full time job and thanks to her Aunt Marie and Zion Lutheran Pre-school, this was possible. Jan became active in PTL and in 1970, Michael joined the family. PTL became a way of life for approximately 14 years with lots of activates.

Our children grew up with the business and all had their after school chores once homework was finished. They have good work ethics likely because they started young knowing their responsibilities. They were active in the business as it expanded and both sons are in management now.

Janet was active in several school and church organizations including National Honor Society, Junior Achievement both as a student and as an advisor through Olin, EAA Chapter 864, Bethalto Spirit and Past Bethalto Victorian Christmas Walk Chairman. She is currently serving as Zion’s landscaping committee chair. Landscape is one of her favorite hobbies as is flying, traveling and collecting local memorabilia.

Jan and Gene have three children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson and two yorkies, Holly and Mickey. Jan’s mother, Dorothy will turn 91 in September and has been a resident of Bethalto since marriage in 1937.

Daughter, Wendy, was in a playpen when the first shop was built. She like her brothers had her share of chores growing up in the business. Wendy also attended Zion Lutheran School and then entered the Bethalto Public School System graduating from Civic Memorial. She entered Webster University for one year. She later married and has a son Eric who is in his first year at Ranken Tech in St. Louis. Max, Wendy’s husband has two sons. Logan attends Eastern in Charleston IL and Grant attends Alton High.

Wendy is very successful in the custom clothier business. She has been in and around family businesses her entire life so she is very aware of the ups and the down of being in small business.
Wendy enjoys travel, walking and biking, nature, water related sports and decorating. She is active in the Alton Junior League, supporting their sons in their hobbies and sports, and her business. Max is a commercial sales manager with Wilke Windows and Doors representing Marvin Windows. He is very knowledgeable and successful in his field. 

Michael Helmkamp has been in and around Helmkamp Auto Service his entire life. He grew up in the shop and absorbed so much from the time he was old enough to spend time there. He learned to sweep floors and sort out the good “stuff” and junk as a little boy. In the summer when his chores were finished, he would go to the Bethalto Pool for a swim, build models or bike ride which was one of his favorite pastimes. He fabricated and modified a bicycle to compete in bike racing until his mother couldn’t stand to watch the mishaps any longer.
 Mike has been an integral part of the business much of his life. He is ASE certified as a Master Technician and is certified in various truck categories and in Parts. Mike is in charge of parts, procurement and helps Todd and Gene with estimating. He also helps with the day to day business decisions. After attending Zion and Bethalto Public Schools, and graduating from Civic Memorial, Mike began working full time at HAS. Mike like Gene and Todd has attended many classes and seminars including some in management in California.

Mike and his wife Randi have two teenagers, Ryan and Phoenix, both sophomores at Metro East Lutheran High in Edwardsville. Randi is employed in St. Louis. Both have spent many hours volunteering as coaches for their kids sports activities at Zion Lutheran School. They have two Yorkies, PJ and KC. Mike’s favorite pastimes include the St. Louis Cardinals, his family, camping and water sports-not necessarily in that order.

Glenda Emmons has been the bookkeeper for HAS since July 2002. What would we do without her? Needless to say, she is instrumental in maintaining the payables and receivables as well as waiting on customers. Glenda has two Associates Degrees, Business Management from Prestonsburg Community College in KY and her Accounting from Lewis and Clark College, Godfrey IL. Glenda is originally from the Missouri boothill area where she still has family. She and her husband, Larry has lived in several states due to Larry’s employment field. Larry works for the Department of Interior. They have two sons, one daughter-in-law and a new granddaughter.

Glenda is a member of Calvary Baptist is Upper Alton and works with the “wee” ones. She and Larry are very active in their church. They enjoy visiting their oldest son and family in Kentucky and their youngest son in Florida. Glenda likes the seashore and does not like cold weather. We at HAS are very pleased to have her expertise and dedication. She keeps us in balance-to the penny.

Meet our techs:
Eric Bailey celebrated his 10th anniversary at HAS this May. He has been a solid, dependable employee and very likable. Eric attends seminars and classes that become available for our technicians and holds his ASE Master Technician Certificate. Eric primarily works on larger vehicles including trucks, motor homes and RV systems. Eric has one son, Alax, 14 years old-a teenager. Eric built his own motorcycle. Besides working on his home, he is now restoring a vintage Shasta trailer.

Rick Philips will be celebrating his 10 th anniversary at Has in August of this year. Rick has one son, Austin who is  years old. Rick is ASE certified in several fields. His primary work includes engine performance and electronics diagnosis, electrical, air conditioning and heating systems. As with most shops, his abilities and knowledge allows him to repair most automotive problems. Rick has been remodeling his home as time allows and enjoys attending car races.

Ron Korte started working at HAS in August of 2002. Ron and his wife have one grown son. Ron’s expertise includes engine, transaxle, differential, chassis, brake diagnosis and repairs primarily, but he to can work on many different automotive and light truck problems. Ron likes to rebuild vintage vehicles and owns some nice vehicles. He even restored a teardrop style trailer he pulls behind a restored truck.

Ken Treadway came to HAS in April of 2004. His background was in medium and heavier duty trucks. His primary work at HAS remains in this field. Ken works on diesel and gas engines, transmissions, chassis and truck frames, hydraulics and boom capabilities and more. Ken is a hunter, both bow and gun. He and his father shoe horses part time and raise horses.

Jarrod Frazier has been working at HAS for a little over a year now. Helmkamp Auto Service sponsored Jarrod for his GM ASEP classes through Ranken Tech and he graduated on May 16 2009 with an Associates degree in Automotive Maintenance. He has 5 ASE certifications and planning to take the remaining three this fall to become a Certified Master Technician.