Delbert R. Helmer, Burlington
Delbert R. Helmer, longtime resident and former sheriff of Coffey County, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007, at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington. He was 85.
Mr. Helmer worked for A.B. Caldwell Implement in Burlington until he entered the U.S. Army in 1942 and served during World War II. After his discharge in 1942, he returned to Burlington where he was undersheriff for several years before he was elected sheriff, an office he held for 18 years. In later years, he worked for the Coffey County Rural Water District and then BRB Contractors. After he retired, he worked part time at the Burlington Recreation Center.
The son of Royden R. and Allie Kennard Helmer, he was born Aug. 22, 1922, in Burlington. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1940. He married Anna Ernestine Brown of Nov. 4, 1950, in Waverly. She died Nov. 29, 1986.
Mr. Helmer was a 50-year member of American Legion Congdon-Kepler Post 38 in Burlington. He served on the Burlington Cemetery Association board for many years.
He is survived by two sons, Tim Helmer of Emporia and Jeff Helmer of Lebo; a daughter, Jeannie Woltje of Greenleaf; one brother, Shirley Helmer of Emporia; one sister, Anita Duft of Iola; and seven grandchildren.
A daughter, Mary Jo Saffer, died in November 2006. A sister, Wynona Strahm, also died earlier.
The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Jones Funeral Home in Burlington. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Burlington. The family will meet with friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions to the Delbert Helmer Memorial Fund, to to be designated later, may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.