KNX has been running tributes from other staffers - I heard one from Bob Brill this evening.
Helton moved to KNX in June 1998 after a long career as PM drive anchor at WBBM in Chicago.
Working first as a general assignment reporter, then chief political reporter at KNX, he eventually slid back into the anchor chair during AM drive about 15 years ago after Dave Williams exited the station.
He's a great foil for the high energy Vicky Moore and has a wonderful radio voice. He'll be missed, but in his late 70s, it was probably time to hang up the headphones.