Merle A. Helms, age 87, of Brookville, Indiana died Friday, September 30, 2016 at McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Ohio.
Born May 10, 1929 in Richmond, Indiana he was the son of the late Herschel T. & Virginia L. (Armacost) Helms. He lived most of his life in Franklin County and was a veteran of the United States Navy. On June 10, 1951 he and the former Eleanor Hornung were united in marriage, and she preceded him in death on February 25, 2016.
Merle was retired from Sperry Rubber & Plastics where he had worked in management for over 40 years. He was also a Reserve Deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Upon retirement from Sperry he became the Transport Officer & Bailiff for Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. He had also served as a Justice of the Peace in Brookville, and been a member of the Civil Defense.
He was an active member of the Brookville United Methodist Church where he served on various boards within the congregation and was a certified Lay Leader. He was a 50+ year member of the Harmony Masonic Lodge #11 F. & A.M.; the Indiana Sheriff’s Association; and a former member of the Brookville Optimist and Kiwanis Clubs.
In his leisure time Merle enjoyed aviation, and held a Private Pilot’s License. He enjoyed entering sweepstakes and contests and had won various prizes over the years including several automobiles. Merle’s sense of humor will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved him!
Survivors include five children, Rebecca Helms of Madison, Indiana, Sara Weisbrodt and Martha Rosenberger both of Brookville, Indiana, Rachel Treadway of Bath, Indiana and Mark Helms of Carmel, Indiana; a brother & sister-in-law, Jim & Charlotte Helms of Logan, Indiana, as well as six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Besides his parents and wife Eleanor, he was preceded in death by a sister Sherry Bernier, as well as two brothers, Donald Helms and Thomas D. Helms.
Family & friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at the Brookville United Methodist Church, 150 East 8TH Street, Brookville, where the Harmony Masonic Lodge #11 will conduct a Memorial Service at 12:30 P.M..
Rev. Curtis Bond, Pastor of the Brookville United Methodist Church, will officiate the Funeral Services at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at the Church. Burial will then follow in Sims Cemetery in New Fairfield, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Franklin County E.M.S. or the Indiana Sheriff’s Association Youth Ranch. Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Helms family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com .