Obit: Helmstadter, William J. (1931 – 2004)
Contact : Crystal Wendt
Email: Post4LincolnCoWi@aol.com

Surnames: Helmstadter, Kamnetz, Pearson, Boyd, Ziegler, Thompson, Ament, Van Der Geest, Langhoff

---Source: Merrill Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln County, Wis.) Wednesday, 17 Oct. 2004; page 15

---Helmstadter, William J. (10 July 1931 – 14 Nov. 2004)

William J. Helmstadter, 73, of Merrill, died Sunday, November 14, 2004, at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill, under Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Born July 10, 1931, in Merrill, Bill was the son of the late William A. and Ida Kamnetz Helmstadter. He married Marilyn Pearson in Tomahawk on August 22, 1953. She survives.

Bill was a 1949 graduate of Merrill Senior High School. He then attended Elgin Watch Makers College for two years. Bill then joined the Air Force National Guard and served for two years in Madison. In 1957 he and his wife started Helmstadter Jewelers, which they owned and operated until 1995 when they retired. Bill was a member of the Merrill Kiwanis Club and the Merrill Silver M. Club. He was a member of the New Testament Church. Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially trout fishing. He also enjoyed traveling and camping with his family. Bill loved airplanes, flying and attending air shows.

Survivors include his wife Marilyn, Merrill; sons Kurt (Joyce), Merrill; daughters Terry Boyd, Merrill; Joni (Greg) Ziegler, Grand Junction, Colo.; and Jan (Jeremy Thompson) Helmstadter, Merrill; grandchildren Kristen, Nicole and Cody Boyd and Katie and Kyle Helmstadter; and great-grandsons Reece and Trayton Ament. He was preceded in death by his sister Anita Van Der Geest.

Funeral services were Wednesday, November 17, at the Waid Funeral Home, Merrill. Rev. Dan Langhoff officiated. Burial was in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Town of Scott.