June 16, 2005

OBITUARIES

John C. Deselem

John C. Deselem of Springfield died on Tuesday, June 7, at Mercy Medical Center. He was 49.

He was born on March 17, 1956, in Boston, the son of Karl V. and Pauline J. (Rafferty) Deselem. John wrote poetry and loved reading for children. He also participated in various cooking contests in the Clark County area, including his favorite, the Chili Cook-off at the Clark County Fair. In the spring he began sponsoring poetry readings at various locations in downtown Yellow Springs.

He is survived by his mother, two sons and a daughter-in-law, John K. and Natalie (Monroe) Deselem of Illinois, and Karl Deselem II of Springfield; brother and sister-in-law, Steven L. and Pamela J. (Harmer) Deselem of Springfield; grandchildren, Madalyn and Wyatt; a niece and two nephews, Kelly, Ethan and Baylor; and his longtime companion, Barbara Fitzwater of Springfield.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 11, at the Littleton & Rue Funeral Home in Springfield, with burial following in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Warder Literacy Center, 137 East High Street, Springfield 45502.

Christine Helmer

Christine Elizabeth Helmer died in Fairborn on Saturday, May 21. She was 95.

She was born Dec. 8, 1910, in Oklahoma City, the daughter of Duane and Fannie Mae Batman Swezey. In 1931 she began working for the Rochester Handkerchief Company, designing handmade handkerchiefs and textiles for specialty stores. After moving to San Antonio, Christine was one of several designers who created color appliqués and detailed embroidery for sample textiles sent to China for completion.

In 1941, Christine moved to Dayton with her husband, Paul M. Helmer. She continued her sewing work for her family and friends and began what would be a lifelong enthusiasm for genealogical research. She was active with the Salvation Army as a service coordinator. She worked as a bookkeeper for several local businesses and was also a supporter of the Glen Helen Association. Christine and Paul were members of the Fairborn St. Luke United Methodist Church, where she served as a volunteer for the fish program and Meals on Wheels.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Harold and Norman Swezey; and two sisters, Opal and Hazel Swezey.

She is survived by her children, Luana McMeans of Fairborn, Georgia Helmer and Hollis Smith of Alexandria, Va., Roberta and Christopher Stalberg of Phoenix, Wayne and Sharon Helmer of Russellville, Ark., and Sidney Helmer of Fairborn; and nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Saturday, June 11, at the Fairborn St. Luke United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, American Cancer Society or a charity of one’s choice.

Garner Petrie Jr.

Garner McReynolds Petrie Jr. died in a truck accident on I-74 in Indiana on Sunday, June 12, at 8:30 p.m. He was 61. Garner, better known as Mack, was born in Louisville on March 28, 1944.

A full obituary will be published next week.

Mack’s son, Mansir Petrie, and his lifelong dear friend, Margrit Tydings-Petrie, are organizing a celebration of his life at an open house on Saturday, June 18. A memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon, June 19. Places and times of both events were not available earlier this week.

For more information, call Mansir Petrie at 202-487-4830 or Margrit Tydings-Petrie at 767-7039. Friends are welcome to stop by 127 Cliff Street to find out more information.