Bio: Helbling Retires From Merrillan Post (1976)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Helbling, Rickard, Kalina, Cormican, Gutknecht

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/21/1976

Helbling Retires From Merrillan Post (1976)

Rodney Helbling has retired his postmaster of Merrillan postoffice after 29 years of service.

Helbling received his appointment October 31, 1947, exceeding Oscar Rickard, who had retired. He is the 11th person to serve in that capacity since the postoffice was established October 30, 1870.

Mrs. Martin Kalina, Sr., has been appointed officer in charge.

Helbling has the distinction of being the first Merrillan postmaster to work in a structure specifically built for a postoffice. The new office was erected during 1969, opening for business in August of that year and was the 10th location of the Merrillan office.

Preceding offices were located in various business buildings along Main Street.

He has witnessed many changes in postoffice service during his tenure. One of the biggest changes occurred when passenger trains discontinued delivering mail several times per day and highway delivery and one daily pick-up.

Window hours for patrons also have been drastically reduced, with Sunday and Saturday afternoon service eliminated.

He said the most upsetting incident during his 29 years occurred when substitute rural carrier, Al Cormican was killed while delivering mail near Hatfield.

Helbling is a native of Merrillan and graduated from the local high school in 1929. He married the former Cora Gutknecht October 13, 1938. She is presently elementary school principal for the Merrillan and Alma Center Schools.

He is a veteran of World War II and has been treasurer of the local American Legion Post for many years.