Jack Albert Helvey, 83, of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., and formerly of Warsaw, passed away at 3:25 p.m. March 2, 2015, in Hope Hospice House, Fort Myers. He was born July 2, 1931, in Warsaw, to Lozier “Bozo” and Betty Rice Helvey. On Feb. 14, 1953, in Warsaw, he married Elaine Long, his wife of 62 years, who survives. He graduated from Warsaw High School, where he was a member of the basketball and football teams and the Letterman’s Club. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, where he served on the ships the USS Baltimore (CA-68) and USS Mississippi (BB-41). While in Warsaw, he was a member of the Breading Cigar Store gentlemen’s club, where he was voted “Man of the Year” in 1980, and often enjoyed being the practical joker. He retired from Little Crow Foods after many years of service, and moved to Fort Myers Beach. In Fort Myers Beach, he belonged to the Bayside Estates Men’s Club. He enjoyed playing horseshoes, watching basketball, puttering around in his shed and spending time in Florida. Also surviving are three daughters: Debra Miller, Silver Lake; Diane Jones and Penny Helvey, both of Warsaw; one grandson, Neil Harris, Silver Lake; and one granddaughter, Amy Harris, Warsaw. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, with Pastor Rick Stewart officiating. Burial is in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with military honors by the American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126, both of Warsaw. Calling is from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral chapel. ***** Memorials to American Legion Post #49, Nursing Scholarship, 301 North Buffalo Street, Warsaw, IN 46580. Condolences may be sent via mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com
