Nicholas John Helmer

Of Prospect Heights

Mayor Nicholas J. Helmer was born September 4, 1942, as an ethnic German in Yugoslavia, to Fabian and Anna (nee Brichta) Helmer. He died peacefully January 26, 2022.

Nick is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years and high school sweetheart, Gail Ann (nee Mishlove) Helmer; His children Nick Helmer Jr. (Megan Feeney) and Rebecca (Anthony) Jacob; his grandchildren Kelly Ann Helmer, Kathryn Elizabeth Helmer, Nicholas Jacob, and Jillian Jacob; his sister Rosemarie (Lawrence) Garlasco; brother's-in-law Robert and David Mishlove.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Nick was known as a loving husband, father, and grandfather, supportive friend, coach, and mentor to many; dedicated public servant; and well-regarded real estate developer. He relished spending time with his family, his annual fishing trip, contemplating life, and holding court on this lake house porch in Fontana, WI.

For the past eleven years, Nick was honored and grateful to serve as the Mayor of Prospect Heights, a role to which he was elected three times, allowing him to give back to the community where he lived and raised his family over the past forty years.

Nick joined Inland Real Estate Corporation in 1969. He lead the Property Management Operations and served as the President of Inland Residential Sales Corporation as well as Director of Inland's eleven banks. He also served as the Chairman of Inland Great Lakes LLC. He was a Certified Property Manager, a licensed Real Estate Broker, and earned a degree in Business Communications from Loyola University.

Nick also served two terms as President of the Institute of Real Estate Management Chicago Chapter, where he was awarded "CPM of the Year"; President of Chicago's West Side Real Estate Board; and Director of the Chicago Board of Realtors. He represented the City of Prospect Heights as an Asset Manager for the Chicago Executive Airport for fourteen years, in addition to being a licensed pilot. Nick was considered a real estate expert participating on the Board of the Cook County Land Bank Authority. He was also a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Northern Illinois Homebuilders Association, and the Palwaukee Airport Pilot's Association.

As a proud veteran of the United States Army, Nick served in Europe as a newspaper reporter, photographer, and radio broadcaster for the Central France area.

Nick was active at St. Viator's High School and the Mt. Prospect community coaching many young athletes in baseball, football, and basketball.

Please share your memories, stories, and pictures with his family at [email protected]

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 2, 2022, from 4-8 pm at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL, and Thursday, February 3, 2022, at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, 411 N. Wheeling Rd., Prospect Heights, IL from 10 am until the time of Mass at 11 am, followed by interment at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Rd., Des Plaines, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nick's honor to the scholarship funds of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights or St. Alphonsus Liguori School in Prospect Heights.

Funeral information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFH.com or 847-253-0168.