Obituary of Richard Jay Helmick

Richard Jay Helmick was born on December 3, 1939 in Monroe, Michigan.   He was one of four children born from the union of the late Theodore Helmick and the late Clara (Roeder) Helmick.   He received his education while attending Monroe Public Schools.

From 1964-1973, Richard worked for the Monroe Schools as a Custodian and Diesel Mechanic.   In 1973, he took employment with the Ford Motor Company at the Monroe Stamping Plant.   He would serve for more than twenty-eight years as a hi-lo mechanic retiring in 2001.   Richard was a member of UAW Local 723.  

Richard was hard-working but always fun-loving.   He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially cherished his grandchildren.   Richard liked to make others smile and could be counted on to be the practical joker with his family typically being the victim to his good-natured humor.   His smile could light up the room, and he often had a Pepsi to drink and share.  

Richard enjoyed visiting car shows.   Although, he appreciated all forms of transportation his favorites were certainly the custom rides.   When Richard wasn’t watching a John Wayne flick, he would often kill time by cruising around town or tinkering on different projects in the garage.     

Richard Jay Helmick, age 78, of Monroe passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, January 8, 2018.   In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by his son:  Keith Helmick.

To cherish his memory he leaves two daughters:  Lori (Steven) Lewis of LaSalle and Lisa (Tony) Cordial of Monroe; three grandchildren: Michael (Candace) Cordial of Monroe, Amanda (Joshua) Krauss of Monroe, and Alisha Cordial of Monroe; three step-grandchildren: William “Billy” Clapp, Kirsten Clapp, and Josh Justice; four great grandchildren: Olivia, Jaylen, Allison, and Alexandria; and three siblings; Carol (Whit) Brooks of Michigan, Douglas (Colleen) Helmick of Troy, and Judith (Earl) Gander of Texas.

Friends may gather on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 1:00pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service; 14567 South Dixie Highway (734) 241-7070 and on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 9:30am until a Celebration of His Life at 11:00am also at Merkle’s with Judith Gander officiating.   Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for interment.

Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, send a floral tribute, or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.