Mervin C. Helf, of Edgerton, Ohio, died at 3:44 A.M. on Saturday, April 20, 2013, just eight days after celebrating his 87th birthday. Mr. Helf entered the United States Navy at the age of seventeen and served as a radioman on Palmyra Island in the Asia-Pacific Theater during World War II. He was employed as a machinist at The Aro Corporation, retiring in 1988 with twenty-four years of service, and operated the Edgerton Car Wash for many years. He was also a member of John D. Smith Post #10 of the American Legion in Edgerton and attended Trinity Bible Church in Edgerton. Honoring his service to our country during World War II, Mr. Helf was awarded his diploma from Defiance High School. In retirement he enjoyed traveling and was active in the Edgerton Senior Center. For years the Helf family delivered Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners with the help of friends from the senior center, particularly Cleo and Sally Stark, Clara Marie Jerger, Rosie, Vern and Ruth Kimpel and others. Mervin C. Helf was born on April 12, 1926, in Edgerton, in the family home he currently resided in. He married his wife of nearly sixty-five years, Joan M. Richmond, on September 20, 1948, in Defiance, and she survives.
Also surviving are his children, Donald M. (Linda) Helf, of Pioneer, Ohio, Diane Helf, of Bryan, Ohio, Kenny Helf, of Palmer, Alaska, and Terry (Penny) Helf, of Flintstone, Georgia; three grandchildren, Florin, Alisha and Garrett Helf, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, from 4:00-8:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, Edgerton. Services will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 11:00 A.M. in Trinity Bible Church, Edgerton, with Pastor Matt Brown officiating. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 A.M., in the church. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery with grave side military rites conducted by John D. Smith Post #10 of the American Legion.
Memorials are requested to the Edgerton Senior Center or to Trinity Bible Church.