Donald R. Helmick

Donald R. Helmick, 89, Valley City took his final flight on Tuesday, December 19, 2018. Don was born March 10, 1929 in Barberton, Ohio to the late Harry and Nora (nee Hoff) Helmick. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950-1952. After returning from Korea in April 1952, Don married the love of his life Marilyn (nee French) in April 1952. He settled his family on forty acres of farm land in Liverpool Township in 1960 and with a few passes of a mower he transformed the farm into an airport. The Valley City Airport hosted gatherings and fly overs of the most interesting and varied types of antique airplanes, World War II combat planes, corporate jets, the Ford TriMotor and the Blimp. Don was a master mechanic who could fix anything. He was a chief mechanic with TRW for 30 years. Don received two prestigious FAA awards, Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" award for 50 years of flying safety and the other, Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" for 50 years of impeccable maintenance. Don received his pilot license at the age of 16 and continued flying until the age of 87. He was a member of the Quiet Birdman, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association and Vintage Aircraft Association. He will be greatly missed by his wife Marilyn, married 66 years, daughters- Susie (Fernando) Gonzales and Bonnie (Brian) Safran, Grandchildren- Donald (Adrienne) Gonzales, Jenna Gonzales and Kevin Gonzales. Preceded in death by a brother- Glenn Helmick Funeral Service- 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 27, 2018 at the Bauer Funeral Home 2089 Columbia Road Valley City. Visitation- 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM Weds. December 26, 2018 at the funeral home. Burial- Woodlawn Cemetery, Wadsworth, Ohio.

Visitation

Bauer Funeral Home 2089 Columbia Road Valley City, OH Wed, Dec 26, 2018 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00PM

Service

Bauer Funeral Home 2089 Columbia Road Valley City, Ohio,

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