Michael Hellenthal

Michael Hellenthal , age 76, of Quincy, former Quincy Senior High Baseball and Basketball Coach, died Sunday, May 10, 2020, at 3:56 pm in Blessing Hospital. Mike was born August 24, 1943 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Michael and Marian Grant Hellenthal. He was a 1961 graduate of Fort Madison High School and a 1968 graduate of the University of Missouri. He later received his Master's Degree from the University of Missouri. He began his 15 year career as a coach at Quincy High School as an assistant basketball coach under the legendary Sherrill Hanks and continued under Jerry Leggett where he was on the bench for several state tournament appearances including state and national champion titles in 1981. His prowess was not limited to the basketball court as he also led the Blue Devil Baseball team as sophomore coach for six years before leading the team as head coach for nine years. His 1986 team won its first regional title in 15 years and won the Western Big Six Conference title in 1987. He was twice named Quincy Herald Whig Baseball Coach of the Year and was elected to the Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He also coached the Quincy American Legi...[more]

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Post 37 team and posted a 300-83 record during that time. His final season in 1987 resulted in a 61-18 record and the team advanced to the American Legion World Series. Following his time in Quincy, Mike became involved in administration and served as the athletic director at Linn-Mar High School in Marion, IA, and was athletic director and a coach at Galesburg (IL) High School and Dixon (IL) HIgh School. He moved to North Carolina and was assistant principal at McDowell County High School and Freedom High School. Mike loved to talk about and watch sports, and he spent a lot of time visiting with former players and keeping up on their lives. One of his greatest joys came from following his son Ryan's career. Watching Ryan coach at QU, getting to know the fans and players, and getting to talk so much basketball were among his happiest times. Survivors include four children, Ryan Hellenthal of Quincy, IL, Renee (Steve) Birkett of Scottsdale, AZ, Resa Hellenthal of Galesburg, IL, and Robin Travelstead of Scottsdale, AZ, three grandchildren Caitlyn, Cassie and Mason Birkett, his brother, Monte (Alice) Hellenthal of Fort Madison, IA, two sisters, Marsha (Gary) Ramaker of Keokuk, IA, and Mary (Tom) Schneider of Burlington, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, and twin siblings Susan and David Hellenthal. Private family service will be held. To attend the service remotely, please join us on Thursday (May 14, 2020) at 11:00 a.m. by clicking the following link http://client.tribucast.com/tcid/95672303 A public celebration of Mike's life will be held at a later date. Burial: Greenmount Cemetery Memorials: QHS Baseball Program or QHS Basketball Program Send Hugs for Mike Hellenthal www.hansenspear.com Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.