Dale P Helle

Dale P. Helle, 85, of Gibsonburg died at his residence on Monday, December 22, 2008. He was born in rural Gibsonburg to Paul and Eva (Saam) Helle on April 26, 1923. He was joined in marriage to Erma M. Sidle in Aiken, SC, on April 25, 1944. Erma preceded him in death on June 5, 2002.

Dale was a veteran, serving in the Ohio National Guard and in the Army Air Corps during WWII, stationed in the U.S. and trained as an aerial gunner and as a driver and mechanic in the motor pool. In 1947 he opened the Helle Garage. Later in 1954 the Helle Garage moved to its present location in Gibsonburg. Dale worked as the owner/operator, with his wife Erma, for over 55 years. He was a former elected member of the Gibsonburg Exempted Village Board of Education, Northwest Region Executive Committee and Terra State Community College, Fremont. Dale was also a member of the Masonic Lodge 575 and the American Legion Post 17 both in Gibsonburg. He was a Zenobia Shriner of Toledo and was a member of the Fremont Flag Unit. Dale was a former Gibsonburg Volunteer Fireman, and he played a key role as head of the Gibsonburg Bicentennial. In addition to his memberships Dale belonged to the Fremont VFW and the Loyal Order of the Moose. He was a long time member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gibsonburg.

Dale is survived by his children, Paul D. (Marge) Helle, Gibsonburg, Lois M. (Curtis) Buchs, Montpelier, and Jim Helle, Fremont; eight grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Lee Helle.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 26, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg, where Masonic Services will begin at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Blair Miller officiating. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery where military services will be conducted by the Gibsonburg American Legion.

Family request memorials honoring Dale be made to the Gibsonburg Masonic Lodge 575 or to the Gibsonburg American Legion Post 17.