In Memory Of
Gary E. Helmick
1941
2023
Gary E. Helmick
June 21, 1941 — September 17, 2023
Gary E. Helmick, 82, of Grantville, passed away on September 17, 2023.
Gary was born on June 21, 1941 to Clarence and Leota (Larson) Helmick in Osage City, Kansas.
He attended Seaman High School then joined the United States Marine Corps, where he faithfully served from 1958 to 1964, before he was honorably discharged.
On December 24, 1960, Gary married the love of his life, Florence Stockwell, where they would honor and love each other for the next 62 years. Together they had three children and grew a beautiful life most would only dream about. Gary eventually grew a career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 35 years before he retired. He loved to travel with his wife. There is not a state they had not visited together. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his wife on the back for most of those trips. The open road gave him such joy and freedom. When they were not riding, he loved to golf, show his artistic side with his woodworking skills, building lamps, bowls, photo frames and sharing his wide range of knowledge on old vintage cars and trucks to anyone that would talk shop with him. Gary was the best at showing his love for his grandchildren that eventually grew to great grandchildren. He showered them with support, loud laughs and whistles, and "scratchy" bear hugs that they will never forget. To put it simple, Gary was the best. The best husband, father, grandpa, and great papa.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Florence; children, Pamela (Dan) Runyan, Patricia (Troy) Payne, and Gary L. Helmick; grandchildren, Steve Hester, Matthew Hester, Ryan Runyan, Lindsay Runyan, Megan Christopherson, Joshua Christopherson, Trevor Payne, Whitney (Payne) Brown, Garry Helmick, Joel Snyder, Justin Snyder, Mya Helmick, and Brody Helmick; and 24 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents and all of his siblings.
Visitation with the family receiving friends will be held from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, Friday, September 22, 2023, at Parker-Price Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:30 am, Saturday, September 23, 2023, at South Knollwood Baptist Church in Topeka. Graveside will follow at Hoyt Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to South Knollwood Baptist Church, and sent in care of Parker-Price Funeral Home
Gary was born on June 21, 1941 to Clarence and Leota (Larson) Helmick in Osage City, Kansas.
He attended Seaman High School then joined the United States Marine Corps, where he faithfully served from 1958 to 1964, before he was honorably discharged.
On December 24, 1960, Gary married the love of his life, Florence Stockwell, where they would honor and love each other for the next 62 years. Together they had three children and grew a beautiful life most would only dream about. Gary eventually grew a career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 35 years before he retired. He loved to travel with his wife. There is not a state they had not visited together. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his wife on the back for most of those trips. The open road gave him such joy and freedom. When they were not riding, he loved to golf, show his artistic side with his woodworking skills, building lamps, bowls, photo frames and sharing his wide range of knowledge on old vintage cars and trucks to anyone that would talk shop with him. Gary was the best at showing his love for his grandchildren that eventually grew to great grandchildren. He showered them with support, loud laughs and whistles, and "scratchy" bear hugs that they will never forget. To put it simple, Gary was the best. The best husband, father, grandpa, and great papa.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Florence; children, Pamela (Dan) Runyan, Patricia (Troy) Payne, and Gary L. Helmick; grandchildren, Steve Hester, Matthew Hester, Ryan Runyan, Lindsay Runyan, Megan Christopherson, Joshua Christopherson, Trevor Payne, Whitney (Payne) Brown, Garry Helmick, Joel Snyder, Justin Snyder, Mya Helmick, and Brody Helmick; and 24 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents and all of his siblings.
Visitation with the family receiving friends will be held from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, Friday, September 22, 2023, at Parker-Price Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:30 am, Saturday, September 23, 2023, at South Knollwood Baptist Church in Topeka. Graveside will follow at Hoyt Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to South Knollwood Baptist Church, and sent in care of Parker-Price Funeral Home
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary E. Helmick, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, September 22, 2023
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Service
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
South Knollwood Baptist Church-Topeka
Guestbook
Visits: 9
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors