Richard Helms

Richard M. Helms, age 63, of Ionia, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. The son of Clare Marion Helms & Elizabeth Ann (Norton) Lane, he was born on January 10, 1958 in Petoskey. Following his graduation from high school, Rick enlisted in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant serving as a law enforcement supervisor with the Security Police. After retiring from the Air Force, he had a second career with the Amway Corporation, retiring after 20 years of service. Rick enjoyed reading, playing scrabble, softball, and spending time with his family and his dogs, Coco and Happy. He was preceded in death by his father, Clare M. Helms. Surviving are his mother, Betty Lane of Cedar Springs; his children, Mellisa & Nathan Cook of Dayton, Ohio, Theresa & Dan Berkenpas of Dorr, and Elizabeth Helms of Kalamazoo; his grandchildren, Sage, Amaya, Judah, Landon, Kennedy, and Parker; brothers and sisters, Ron & Annabelle Helms of Las Vegas, Nevada, Vicki & Chuck Goss of Greenville, Mike & Lisa Helms of Greenville, and Karen Corey of Lowell; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation is from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the First Christian Church of Ionia, 130 E. Washington Street, Ionia, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Pastor John Prominski of Restore Church of Ionia will officiate, with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force. Instead of flowers, Rick would have appreciated contributions in his memory to the Air Force Aid Society. Envelopes will be available at the church or you may donate online at: www.afas.org Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, (616) 754-5638, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Helms, please visit our flower store.