Ralph E. Helmlinger

Ralph E. Helmlinger, 90, of Jackson Center, Ohio passed away Thursday morning, April 13, 2017 at Auglaize Acres in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

He was born in Jackson Center August 26, 1926, to the late George P. and Ruth N. (Ickes) Helmlinger.  Ralph married the former Margaret Jean Swinehart May 17, 1947, and she preceded him in death January 11, 2015.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Rose E. Hereld and close friends John and Ella Metz.

Mr. Helmlinger was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Philippines and Japan with the 81st Infantry during World War II.   A life-long farmer, Mr. Helmlinger was a lifetime member of the Grace Lutheran Church.  He was also a life-member of the Jackson Center American Legion Scherer Post #493, a life-member of the Sidney VFW Post #4239, a former township trustee of Clay Township and a former member of the Farm Bureau.  In his younger years, Ralph and Margaret enjoyed traveling out West and fishing on Lake Erie.  He was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Reds.  In the past few months, Mr. Helmlinger enjoyed playing Bingo at Dorothy Love and Auglaize Acres.

Mr. Helmlinger is survived by his children: Kathy (Robert) Gearing of Wapakoneta and Keith (Pamela) Helmlinger of Jackson Center; four grandchildren, Natalie (Charles) Ramono of Dublin, Ohio, Miles (Nicole) Gearing of Piqua, Ohio, Katie Helmlinger of Chicago, Illinois and Graham (fiancé Kendall Smith) Helmlinger of Jackson Center; four great-grandchildren, Megan Ramono, Caroline Ramono, Michael Ramono and Dylan Gearing, and many nieces & nephews.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at 10 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church 607 S. Main St. in Jackson Center, with Pastor Patti Morlock officiating. Visitation will be held at the church Tuesday, April 18, 2017, from 4 to 7 P.M.   Burial will be at the Glen Cemetery with military honors provided by the Jackson Center American Legion.

The staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home Jackson Center is handling the funeral arrangements.