Shirley “Joan” (Peterson) Helton, 89, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the La Plata Nursing Home in La Plata, Missouri.

The daughter of Ivan M. and Mattie E. (Wayman) Peterson, Joan was born October 21, 1936, in Greentop, Missouri. On September 20, 1958, in Kirksville, she was united in marriage to Harley Helton, who preceded her in death on September 24, 1990.

Joan lived her entire life in the Kirksville and Greentop areas. She worked for several years as a bookkeeper for local banks, including the Bank of Kirksville and Bank Midwest.

She enjoyed crafting, sewing, thrifting, attending garage sales, and watching Wheel of Fortune. Above all, Joan loved her family deeply and will be dearly missed.

She was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church in Kirksville.

Joan was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Allen and Kenneth Peterson; two sisters, Lucille Drury and Maude Maples; and one son-in-law, John Dovin.

She is survived by one son, Mike Helton and his wife, Jean, of Kirksville; two daughters, Joni Hartje and her husband, Dave, of Burlington, Iowa, and Pat Dovin of Kirksville; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026, in the Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville, with Chaplain Jennifer Finley presiding.

Public visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026, in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Memorial donations in memory of Joan may be made to the Hospice of Northeast Missouri and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.