Mellott - James "Jim" Lowell Helgers, 91, Mellott, went to heaven to be with the Lord, on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at his home, surrounded by his family.
Jim was born at home in Mellott, Indiana on January 8, 1931. He was the son of the late William and Ruby Dell (Moore) Helgers. He was a life resident of Mellott and graduated from Richland Township High School in 1949.
Jim entered the Navy in 1951 for four years. He did his basic training in Chicago, then was stationed on the USS Oriskany Air Craft Carrier during the Korean War. He served in the Mediterranean Sea. After leaving the carrier he went to Greenland. He later was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954 attaining the rank of Aviation Ordnanceman. He was from a long line of family who served their country. From his father, William; his brother, Billy and his daughter, Belinda.
He went into the Helgers L.P. Gas business with his father. He later sold the gas business and worked for Ferrell Gas selling used propane trucks and tanks. In his career he traveled over one million miles picking up old trucks to sell and delivering new trucks.
He was a member of Fountain County Draft Board; member of the Fountain County Sheriff's Merit Board; member of the Mellott Fire Department, serving as a former Fire Chief; Boy Scout Leader and Little League coach. He was a member of the Quigle-Palin American Legion Post and served as past commander. He was a life member V.F.W. Post # 3318 of Attica; 60 year member of the former Newtown Masonic Lodge and presently the Hillsboro Masonic Lodge, serving as Past Master. He was a member and served as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent for the Mellott United Church of Christ and later becoming a member of the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene.
In the 1970's Jim started Flagtown USA with the help of Donnie Palin and his mother, Ruby. They sold over 1000 flag poles and set around 500 of them around the area. One was even set in Hawaii.
In 1955, Jim met his sweetheart, Connie Jo Brier from Attica. They were married on September 18, 1955 in the Attica First United Methodist Church.
Jim leaves behind his wife, Connie of 67 years. He also leaves behind a son, Stephen (Judith) Helgers, Darlington; two daughters, Belinda Helgers, Mellott and Kim (Dan) Allen, Veedersburg; eight grandchildren, Conner Simmons, Mitchell (Brandy) Allen, Karson Allen, Sara (Jeremy) Lewis, Jeremy (Janie) Edwards, Jamie (Shane) Sankey, Nathan "Shane" (Shannon) Helgers, Jackie (Jason) Ray; nine great-grandchildren, Brian (fiancée-Hailey) Newkirk, Erica Newkirk, Kayla Sankey, Kylie Sankey, Karah Sankey, Hayden Allen, Harper Allen, Hudson Lewis, Avery Lewis, Nathan Helgers and Allison Helgers. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Candace Jo Helgers and an infant great-grandson, Jasper Edwards, a sister Rosemary Piety and a brother, Billy Helgers.
God gave Jim a gift of a loving heart. He knew no strangers and touched a lot of hearts, both old and young.
Friends may call at the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene, 453 S. State Road 341, Hillsboro, on Sunday, November 20th, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Services concluding the visitation at 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Jim's life will be held at the church on Monday, November 21st at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Greg McDonald officiating. A burial of his cremated remains with a full military service will be held in the Newtown Cemetery, Newtown, IN at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Conner Simmons Trust Fund through the Fountain Trust Bank.