Robert E. Helle

Robert Smoke E. Helle, 89, of Curtice, Ohio, died Sunday afternoon, August 30, 2015, at Stein Hospice in Sandusky. Robert was born November 26, 1925, in Williston, Ohio, to Arthur and Estella (Base) Helle. On August 18, 1951, at St. John Lutheran Church in Williston he married Dorothy Tober and she preceded him in death in July 11, 2002. Bob retired in 1986 after 39 years as a machinist supervisor for BP Refinery, formerly SOHIO, in Oregon. He loved sports and played and coached softball. He had also played semi-pro football for the former Toledo Maroons. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army entering the service on June 21, 1944, and was assigned to an Infantry Replacement Center at Fort McClellan, Alabama, for basic training. After basic, he sailed for overseas duty and was assigned to Company C 320 Infantry 35th Division in Pattons 3rd Army. He saw action in Luxemburg, Belgium, Holland, France and Germany and was wounded January 7, 1945, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest. Bob received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge and ETO Campaign Ribbon with three battle stars. He was discharged April 23, 1945. Bob was a member of the American Legion Christ Dunberger Post #537, where he served with the Colored Guard and Rifle Squad, the VFW Post #9816 in Oregon, and the Disabled American Vets and had been named on the Wall of Heroes at the VA Clinic in Toledo. Bob is survived by his family: sons, James (Jenny) Helle and Russell (Donna) Helle, daughters, Marlene (Ray) Nissen and Sandra (Jim) Dippman, son-in-law, James Miller; ten grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; brothers, Gerald (Lois) Helle, Elroy Helle, and sisters, Betty (Bill) McCluckie and Phyllis Haeft. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter, Barbara Miller, and siblings, Gaylord Helle, Donald Helle, Marion Helle, Delores Fouke, Alice Nagy, and Eileen Shinkle. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m., Thursday, September 3, 2015, at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa, with the American Legion service at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2015. Interment with military graveside services will follow in Allen Township Cemetery, Williston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested memorials for Bob to go to Christ Dunberger Post #537, 4925 Pickle Rd., Oregon, OH 43616; the VFW Post #9816, 1802 Ashcroft Dr., Oregon, OH 43616; or the donors choice.