Charles Eugene Helmick

Charles (Gene) Eugene Helmick, 74, of Ephrata passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2012 in Moses Lake, WA.

He was born on July 1, 1937 at River Falls, Wisconsin, to Dorothy and Charles Helmick. He was raised in Yakima and graduated with the last class of Yakima High School in 1957.

Gene married Cleta B. Grissom on May 1, 1957 in Coeur d' Alene, ID; he entered the United States Army that same year where he became one of the first paramedics to serve in the Viet Nam was, he retired from the Army as a Sgt. 1st Class.

Following his retirement he returned to school attending Beulah Bible College, Atlanta, GA graduating with honors as Valedictorian.

He loved fishing and was an avid bowler at both Minda Lanes and Nob Hill Lanes in Yakima and at the Lake Bowl in Moses Lake

Gene was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Vietnam National Veterans Association; he was also a member of the Yakima Eagles.

Gene is survived by his wife, Cleta Helmick of Ephrata, children, Charles E. & Lisa Helmick of Selah, Christine Ann & Mark Medina of Yakima, Earl Dean & Denise Helmick of Ephrata and Christa Marie & Tomario Miles of Las Vegas, NV., 14 Grandchildren, 6 Great-grandchildren, 1 brother, Gerald Eugene Michals of Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Chapel, 300 G Street SE, Quincy, WA

Burial with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 1:15 P.M. at Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA.

Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guest book at www.scharbachs.com Service arrangements are under the direction of Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, WA.