ELI C. HELMUTH
June 17, 1923 — October 14, 2008
ELI C. HELMUTH, of the Whiteville Community and Kalona, Iowa died Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at his home. He was 85 years of age.
Funeral Services for Mr. Helmuth were conducted at 10 A.M. Saturday, October 18th at the Whiteville Mennonite Church with Paul Overholt, Jr. Yoder, Lavern Eash and Elmer Mast officiating. Interment followed in the Mennonite Church Cemetery at Whiteville. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.
Mr. Helmuth was born on June 17, 1923, in Kalona, Iowa to Chris and Mary (Miller) Helmuth. He was married to Fannie (Miller) Helmuth on June 21, 1945. She preceded him in death on January 10, 2005. To this union was born one son, Lloyd J. (Rose Mary) Helmuth; also two foster brothers (twins) Gary Gulley of Sacramento, CA and Terry Gulley of Kansas City, MO. He remarried Sarah (Mast) (Miller) Helmuth on September 23, 2007, who survives, and his step children: David Lee (Martha) Miller of Kalona, IA; Lucy (Roman) Stoltzfoos of Kinsers, PA; Elaine Miller of Kalona, IA; Evelyn (Steven) Miller of Hutchinson, KS; Nancy Miller of Iowa City and Louise Miller of Kalona, IA. Eli had four grandsons; one granddaughter; two great-grandchildren; twenty-six step-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Menno of Kalona, IA and Daniel of Coralville, IA; and two sisters, Martha Schrock of Denver, CO and Lydia Kanagy of Kalona, IA.
He accepted Christ in his youth and was a faithful member at the Whiteville Mennonite Church. He helped pioneer the starting of the church at Leon, IA and then again at Whiteville, TN. His visits to the prisons and the inmates were always a joy and an encouragement to him. He was not a stranger to anyone, and he had no enemies. He could say what he wanted to and still be friends. The people in Tennessee knew him as Mr. Eli, and those weren't a few. The community folks always enjoyed his visits with them and asked about him.
His parents and three brothers: William, John and Andy; a sister and a great-grandchild preceded him in death.
Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Ferman Helmuth, Ernest Helmuth, Nevin Helmuth, Quintin Helmuth, Mark Yoder, Justin Miller, Gary Gulley and Terry Gulley.
The family wishes to thank their friends and loved ones for the prayers and encouragement during his time of illness.
May God Bless You.
The family request that Memorials be directed to the Whiteville Mennonite Church, 7065 Fayette Corner Drive, Whiteville, TN, 38075, Phone: (901) 231-9500.