John F. Helm

Aug. 19, 1915-Dec. 11, 2004

John Francis Helm, 89, died Dec. 11, 2004, in Citizen Medical Center in Colby, Kan.

John was born Aug. 19, 1915, to Walter H. Helm and Susie M. Malleck Helm at Red Willow Station, Red Willow County. They moved to a farm near Bartley in 1920. John attended Bartley schools and graduated with the class of 1933.

He joined the Army in January 1941, serving in the United States, England, and France. He was discharged as a Master Sergeant in September 1945. He was married to Helen Margaret Sughroue on Oct. 10, 1942, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola and they became parents of eight children.

They lived four years in the Indianola area and then they bought their farm and moved to the Lyle community in Kansas in March 1949.

John served on the Grant Township Board, Spring Branch School Board and was on the Board of Directors for Wheat Growers Association for Decatur County when it was established. In 1959, he received the Bankers Award in Soil Conservation.

He was a lifetime member of Jack Helt American Legion Post No. 313, the Beaver Valley V.F.W. Post No. 7719, the McCook Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oberlin, Kansas and St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola.

He was a cattleman and farmer, an avid reader and enjoyed dancing. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Helen; four sons, Jim and wife, Yanis of Danbury, Fred of Hilo, Hawaii, John and wife, Pam of Redmond, Wash., Mike and wife, Deb of Norcatur, Kan.; four daughters, Mary Helm of Tucson, Ariz., Kathy Brashears and husband, Robert Hezzy of Curtis, Ceanne Rinehart and husband, Martin of Colby, Kan., Laurie Helm of St. Joseph, Mo.; eighteen grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

"My farm is not where I must soil

My hands in endless dreary toil

But where through seed and swelling pod

I've learned to talk and walk with God."

Memorials are being accepted in his name.

Rosary will be tonight at 7 p.m., at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Everyone is invited to a dinner, 11:30 a.m., Wednesday at St. Catherine's Hall in Indianola.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004, 1:30 p.m., at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola with Father Nicholas Baker and Father Dana Clark officiating. Burial will be St. Catherine's Cemetery.

Visitation is today until time of rosary and Wednesday form 9-10 a.m., at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.