John Ed Hellmich

John Ed “Pap” Hellmich, 83, of Greensburg, Indiana passed away on December 31, 2011. He is the son of Albert and Luella Meyer Hellmich. John is preceded in death by Fredanell “G-Mom” Hellmich, wife of 53 years, and his parents. He is survived by three brothers and two sisters, James (Jo) Hellmich of Rockford, IL., William Hellmich of Greensburg, IN., Carl (Katha) Hellmich of Greensburg, IN., Mary Lou Buckley of Limon, CO., and Ann Hall of Terre Haute, IN. John is the proud father of three son and two daughters: Marc (Shelly) Hellmich of Greensburg, IN., Debbie (Jim) Lanning of Greensburg, IN., Chris (Connie) Hellmich of Greensburg, IN., Beth Aitken of Sedona, AZ., and Jeff (Amy) Hellmich of Wentzville, MO. He is the loving grandfather of 12 grandkids: Seth Hellmich, Craig Hellmich, Courtney Bohman, Thad Hellmich, Megan Lanning, Matt Lanning, Tyler Hellmich, Eliza Arnold, Brittany Hellmich, Lydia Aitken, Emily Aitken and Audrey Hellmich. John was lucky enough to love seven great-grandchildren: Grayson, Lily, Carter, Jonah, Tate and Myla Hellmich and Hank Bohman. For the last few years his companion was Bev Gahimer.

John Ed was a hard-working man, enduring many long hours on the family dairy farm from a young age up until the day he passed. He worked for the American Breeder Service for over 40 years as a sales representative, serving many farms around the area. John was a member of the 4-H Fair Board, served on the Board of Director’s for Farm Bureau, Premier Ag Board, a statewide dairy show judge, and travelled the country giving presentations for Hoosier Harvestore. He won the “Outstanding Young Farmer” award from the Greensburg Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1956. “Pap” was a loving man who always had time to listen to friends and family, regardless of what was happening in his life. He will be greatly missed by all that he touched.

Friends may call at Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral mass will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 5, 2012. The burial will follow after the mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Mary’s Building Fund or the Ag Field Interest Fund C/O Decatur County Community Foundation. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com.