Obit: Helm, Walter E. (1931 - 2007)

Contact:  Shari Hahn
Email: steppinwest@elknet.net

Surnames: HELM GARBISCH SPRY SCHWANZ BOLIN MARINO

----Sources: MARHSFIELD NEWS-HERALD (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) 21 Jun 2007

Helm, Walter E. (16 June 1931 - 19 June 2007)

CHILI -- Walter E. Helm, 76, of Chili, died Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in the old farmhouse on the land that he loved. He was a true steward of the land, he enjoyed maple syrup season and making nesting boxes for countless bluebirds.

Funeral services for Walter will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 23, 2007, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Granton. Walter's son-in-law, Pastor Chris Schwanz, will officiate. Providing music will be Caroline Helm, organist.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, June 22, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and again from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the service Saturday at the church.

Burial will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council.

Walter Edward Helm was born June 16, 1931, to Louis and Adelia (Garbisch) Helm. He was raised on the home farm on the corner of Highway 10 and Highway W and attended Poplar Grove Zion Parochial School. He graduated from Granton High School in 1949. He farmed, drove truck and was assistant mail carrier at Granton Post Office until entering the military service. He served with the 503rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was stationed in Austria from 1952 until he was discharged in 1954. He then attended the University of Wisconsin ag short course in Madison. On Dec. 27, 1959, he married Beverly Spry at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Chili. In the spring of 1960, they purchased the farm on which they still reside. At one time, he served as assessor for the town of Lynn and served in many positions at Zion Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Scott (Joan) Helm and a grandson, Derek of Chili; daughters, Heidi (Chris) Schwanz and grandchildren Nathan, Ryan, Bradley, Zachary and Joy of Amherst and Marilyn (Tom) Bolin and granddaughters Grace and Laura of Willmar, Minn., and Emily (Bob) Marino of Antioch, Ill. He also is survived by brothers, Roland (Beverly) Helm of Cedarburg and Eldon (Doreen) Helm of Granton; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Walter in death were his parents; a brother, Norman; and a granddaughter, Jessica.

Memorials will be designated at a later date.