We regret to inform you of the death of Retired Corporal Joseph Helmstetter on Friday, January 30, 2015. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. The following obituary information has been reprinted from the funeral home website.
LaVale, MD – Joseph Henry Helmstetter, 87, of LaVale, MD, passed away Friday, January 30, 2015 at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.
Born on the Fourth of July 1927, in Cumberland, MD, Mr. Helmstetter was the son of the late Lawrence Joseph Helmstetter and Mary (Cavanaugh) Helmstetter. He was also preceded in death by five brothers: William “Bill”, Edward, George, Mike, and J. Thomas Helmstetter; and two sisters: Virginia Padfield and Jane Mull.
Joe was a World War II Veteran of the United States Navy aboard the LSM 46 and received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local #100 for many years. He served as a Maryland State Police Trooper from 1955 to 1981 and retired as Corporal. In 1981, he returned to work sheet metal and retired fifteen years later. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #586 where he was past Grand Knight and also served as past Maryland District Deputy. He was also a member of the Chief Justice Taney 4th Degree where he was past Faithful Navigator.
Joe is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia (Carney) Helmstetter; his children: Dennis Helmstetter and partner Lisa Dwyer, Middletown, MD; Eileen Luttrell and husband Mike, Smithsburg, MD; Kevin Helmstetter and wife Cherie, Cumberland, MD; and Ellen Helmstetter and fiancé Bill Willis, Frederick, MD; a sister: Pauline Stotler, Cumberland, MD; five grandchildren: Justin Luttrell, Meghan Otto and husband Brad, Amanda Helmstetter, Kyle Helmstetter, Alice Helmstetter and fiancé Jerod Williams; a great-granddaughter: Ariana; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at the Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., 404 Decatur Street, Cumberland, MD, on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The Rosary will be recited at 3:45 P.M. by Deacon Frank Werner. The funeral service will be private. Interment will be in S.S. Peter and Paul Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Post #13 Veterans Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Schwab Family Cancer Center, Cancer Emergency Fund, 12500 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD 21502, Attention: Julie Hardy.