Sheila Helm

Sheila Helm loved people and was a blessing to those who knew and loved her. She had an unending love for travel, and experienced wonderful destinations near and far. Determined with inner strength, she enjoyed much, lived fully and will be lovingly missed.

At a time when families struggled through the hardships of the Great Depression, Americans learned to find joy in the little things in life. Through these challenging times, America’s love of baseball, movie greats, renowned literary works and music allowed many to free their minds from everyday worries. For Charles and Mary (Perick) Thompson of Peoria, Illinois, the days could not have been brighter when on April 27, 1934 they welcomed the birth of their precious daughter, Mary Sheila.

Mary, affectionately known as Sheila, enjoyed a typical childhood for the times among neighborhood friends and fun-filled days. She attended the area public school and was a friend to many. Raised an only child, the later years of the Depression continued to affect many, and Sheila’s family was no exception. Her mother worked beading pearls for a time, and although her father was schooled as an attorney, his interest was in the field of engineering. As the need for war goods increased with the onset of World War II, he worked for Caterpillar, Inc. and at the war’s end they moved to Florida where he became involved directing the family’s 30,000 acre forestry enterprise.

Although the move was quite a transition for a young girl like Sheila, she adjusted well and quickly made many new friends. She initially attended the public school in Florida, but went on to become a student at The Shipley School for Girls, a college-preparatory school located in Baltimore, Maryland. From there Sheila’s educational career took her to Oxford, Ohio where she attended and later graduated from the Western College for Women. While attending school in Ohio, life as Sheila knew it was forever changed.

A young fellow named Jim Helm was a student at the Miami University of Ohio which was located directly across the street from Sheila’s school. Prior to her homecoming dance, Jim’s roommate persuaded him to venture over to the women’s college with him. Once there, Jim struck up conversation with the pretty brunette hostess whose nametag read, Betty Whitlock. Jim was quite interested in this attractive girl and later tried to call her, only to discover the young woman he had talked to was actually Sheila Thompson, who had only worn Betty’s nametag that night to cover the hostess position for her! During Sheila’s senior year the couple dated, but their relationship was off and on again.

Sheila graduated in 1956 and traveled to New York to work as a secretary, but unfortunately came down with the mumps. For needed rest, she joined her mother and flew to the Bahamas for a little recuperation. While there she purchased Jim a Madras jacket, and once he received her gift, it initiated their reconciliation. With a love that was meant to be, Jim was aspiring to ask Sheila to marry him, but since he changed his field of study, he knew there was no other way to continue his schooling and marry her without the support of a GI Bill. Once it came through, he called Sheila, proposing to her long distance right over the phone. They received their first acknowledgement of congratulations from the telephone operator who refused to charge them for the call, and on August 30, 1957 they were happily married in Ocala, Florida.

Sheila was not very skilled when it came to cooking. She found it difficult to even make a decent grilled cheese sandwich. Jim, on the other hand, at one point worked as a cook in Cape Cod. When he decided to pursue a degree in industrial psychology, one of the more specialized schools in the field was located at the University of Hawaii. Together they moved to the beautiful island, and soon began their family.

Life was good. Jim was in school and Sheila was happily expecting their first child. In fact, at seven and a half months pregnant they enjoyed a wonderful Far East tour. From Hawaii they returned to Ohio, settling in Columbus where they welcomed the birth of their son, Brad. Jim worked for the American Express Tour Agency and soon took a position with RCA.

When RCA downsized a few months later, Jim unfortunately was left without a job. They once again packed up and moved to Newark, Ohio where Jim acquired a job with State Farm Insurance Company. In time they transferred to New Jersey and were blessed with the birth of two more sons, Bill and Bob. Equipped with her own education, once the boys started school Sheila began substitute teaching. They moved to the Glens Falls, New York area, remaining there for five years. When Jim got a job with Foremost Insurance they again moved, making Grand Rapids, Michigan their home in 1967.

To earn additional income, Sheila sold Amway products for a time before pinball machines and later video games. With her inventive and entrepreneurial spirit, she came across a 1946 Ford bus converted into a popcorn wagon, and after winning Jim over with the idea, they soon bought it and fixed it up. With their new venture in tow, they moved the wagon to the lot of a local market where Sheila and her sons spent many hours manning their little popcorn wagon.

While living in Grand Rapids they found a church home and since 1968 Sheila and Jim faithfully attended Park Church. As choir members they both traveled to places such as London and Rome. With an undeniable love for travel and people, Sheila and Jim also enjoyed sailing on the QE II to Bermuda and through the Panama Canal. They also spent time on a wonderful cruise to Alaska, and took in the sights on a road trip to New Orleans, enjoying five days on a paddle wheeler cruise.

In 1983 Sheila began having health issues which she later discovered was the initial onset of Multiple Sclerosis. In 1984, at the age of 50, she was indeed diagnosed with the debilitating disease. An active woman, Sheila loved playing tennis, bowling, golfing and of course, traveling and maintained her enjoyment of these things as long as she was able. A collector of various items, she loved anything from Franklin Mint. Although she loved getting out and was a natural when it came to making friends and the company of others, her outings became fewer and she spent more time collecting.

The Rockford area became their new home in 1988. Sheila and Jim remained there until 2004 when she began having more difficulty driving and getting around. Jim did his best to take care of her, but after finding her collapsed in the garage after five hours without help, they conceded and moved to Covenant Village where Sheila could receive more care. When she came down with an infection complicated by her MS, she spent a few days in the hospital on IV’s before returning home to Covenant Village where she peacefully died on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2011.

At the age of 76, Sheila Helm was determined as ever but the disease she had fought for so long won over. With a heart for people and steadfast determination, Sheila experienced much in her lifetime. Sorely missed, she will be lovingly remembered by those who knew and loved her.

Sheila is survived by her husband, James; children: Brad Helm of San Diego, California, Bill (Darlene) Helm of Rockford, Bob (Kim) Helm of Jenison; grandchildren: Paige, James, Nathan and Jacob Helm; special friend, Barb Kearns of Brookfield, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Eric Helm. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, January 8, 2011, 11:00 AM at the Chapel of Covenant Village, 2520 Lake Michigan Drive NW with Rev. Maurice Fetty and Chaplain David Ness officiating. Friends may greet her family for one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Michigan, 21311 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, Michigan 48706 or to the Covenant Village Benevolent Fund, 2520 Lake Michigan Drive NW 49504. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to submit a favorite memory or photo of Sheila or to sign her online guest book.