Joe Helms

Joe Allen Helms, Jr., 44, of Dennis, died at 5:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Elmhaven West Nursing Home in Parsons following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born January 31, 1968 in Parsons, Kansas to Joe Allen Helms, Sr. and Connie Kay (Wass) Helms. As a young boy, he grew up in Dennis. Joe attended Mound Valley Grade School and was a 1986 graduate of Labette County High School in Altamont. From 1986 through 1991, he served in the United States Marine Corps and, during the Gulf War, had served as a crew chief on the HMH-465 Super Stallion. Upon his discharge, he was a maintenance supervisor at Wal-Mart Aviation in Bentonville, Arkansas. In July of 1993, he joined the Army National Guard in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1996, he was accepted for Warrant Officer Candidate School and Black Hawk Helicopter Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Joe had served over 20 years in the military. Following Hurricane Katrina, he and his sister, Jan, served in the clean-up effort in New Orleans through their National Guard unit. He was an avid bow hunter and enjoyed Mopar drag racing his 1971 Plymouth Duster. He and Joyce Manley were married May 26, 1996 in Edna, Kansas. They later divorced. Survivors include: Two Daughters – Kasey Jo Helms Oswego, KS Kayla Renee Helms Oswego, KS Parents – Joe and Connie Helms Dennis, KS Grandmother – Betty Wass Dennis, KS One Sister – Janine D. Buning and husband, Dan Ozark, MO One Nephew – Bradley Bonewell Two Nieces – Brynn and Bree Bonewell He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold Wass, O.B. Helms and Gabe Helms. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 18, 2012, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery near Dennis. The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joe Helms, please visit our flower store.