Richard E.

Richard E. Helman

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Richard E. "Pap" Helman, 77, of 244 Garfield St., died Monday, Sept. 29, 1997, at Washington County Hospital. Born May 8, 1920, in Waynesboro, he was the son of the late David E. and Caroline Sprenkle Helman.

He attended school in a one-room school house. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in the South Pacific during World War II. He served from 1944 to 1946 with Co. H, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division, as a heavy mortar crewman. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star.

In his early life, he worked on farms, on the Quincy Township road crew, at Landis Machine Co., Waynesboro, and Fairchild Aircraft Manufacturing, Hagerstown. After leaving the Army, he returned to Fairchild as a lead man and milling machine operator, retiring in 1982 after 40 years. He was of the Protestant faith. He was a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles 1758, Waynesboro; and a life member of William Max McLaughlin VFW Post 695 and Joe Stickell American Legion Post 15, both of Waynesboro.

He is survived by his wife, Winifred G. Talhelm Helman, whom he married on Sept. 3, 1938; 13 daughters, Patricia A. Lawver of Gettysburg, Pa., Cindi K. Bell of Blue Ridge Summit, Pa., Deanna S. Himes of Smithsburg, Wanda J. Miller, Sherry A. Chandler, Sandra L. Helman, Deborah C. Mentzer, Melissa F. Woodring, Brenda J. Pryor, Barbara J. Fisher, Lisa S. Stephey, Vicki Helman-Jones and Stacey D. Helman, all of Waynesboro; three sons, Richard G. Helman, Douglas K. Helman Sr. and Jeffrey L. Helman, all of Waynesboro; four brothers, Robert Helman, of Franklin County Nursing Home, Chambersburg, Pa., Glenn Helman of Hagerstown, Eugene Helman of Fayetteville, Pa., and Carroll Helman of Chambersburg; 43 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Shelva Jean Helman; one son, James E. Helman; five sisters; four brothers; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Grove Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro. Pastor Gregory A. Helman will officiate. Burial will be in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, with graveside military services conducted by Charles M. Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599 Honor Guard, Chambersburg. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Reprinted with Permission from The HERALD-MAIL Online