John Marcus Helm

Mr. John Marcus Helm, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at his home following an extended illness. He was born on December 22, 1933 in Richmond, Kentucky to the late Marcus and Nettie Kate (Evans) Helm. On September 3, 1954, he married Joyce Mullikin in Richmond, and she survives him at home.

Also surviving John are his daughters Myra (Kenneth) Richley of Salt Lake City, Utah and E. “Kate” (Charles) Helm-Beans of Atlanta, Georgia; his brother Ellis (Colleen) Helm of Kokomo and grandchildren Marc Beans of Salt Lake City and Morgan Beans of New Haven, Connecticut. Additionally, John will be remembered and missed by a loving host of extended family, friends, church family and hunting and fishing buddies.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart is honored to host a memorial celebration of John’s life on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 11:00 am, with a gathering of family and friends beginning there at 10 am. The Reverend Thomas Thews, formerly of Trinity United Methodist Church of Elkhart and close family friend, will officiate the services. In accordance with John’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

John received his master’s degree in Industrial Arts from Eastern Kentucky University and then worked in the RV industry for 26 years, retiring in 2000 from Coachmen Industries as a manager. He was also a 33rd degree Mason with the Elkhart Kane Lodge and was a former member of Elkhart’s Elk’s Lodge, B.P.O E. #425. John was a very accomplished woodworker and spent countless hours working in his little shop at home turning out beautifully refinished furniture and wood pieces. Some of his work can be seen every day if you pass by “Trinity Church On Jackson” (formerly Trinity United Methodist Church) as the huge wooden front doors were done by John.

If John worked hard, then it must be said that he played hard as well, for John found peace in the outdoors. Whether it was watching the early morning fog roll over a grassy field from the vantage point of a tree stand or listening to the little “plop” that a bobber would make as it hit the water, John loved to be outside and interact with the nature around him. He and his wife, Joyce, also loved to travel, and throughout their life together, they made it to all 50 states plus Canada, South America, Europe and the Virgin Islands. When asked “…of all the nearly countless places that John visited, which did he love the most?”, his wife Joyce promptly answered, “Iron Mountain, Michigan”. It was then revealed that it was a fishing “honey hole” for John as well as a beautiful place where he could unwind, relax and simply “be”.

Finally, it should be mentioned that John was a fierce fan of his grandchildren. They were both athletically inclined throughout school and high school, and their Grandpa was their number one fan. He was very proud of all of their accomplishments..

In lieu of flowers, friends and family wishing to make a contribution in John’s memory may do so by making a donation to Trinity Church On Jackson. Additionally, please be sure to thoroughly browse John’s obit page, as you are able to leave condolences and memories, post photographs on his memory wall, and order other funerary items in regard to the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Marcus Helm, please visit our floral store.