James Steve Helminiak

James Steve Helminiak

3/14/42-6/21/19

Passed away at his home on Schrock road, on June 21, at the age 77.

James was born in Toledo, Ohio, to parents, Chester and Florence Helminiak. He joined the Army at age of 18 and served in Germany for 3 years at the time of the Berlin Wall Crisis. He shook hands with President Kennedy as the president walked by the troops. After returning home, he met and married Jonalynn Merryfield, on May 8, 1965, and lived in Michigan where he cut trees for Lazy Boy Chair Company. In 1972, they and their three children, Deborah, Jack and James Jr. moved to Alaska where they built and operated Bald Mountain Lumber on Schrock Road in Wasilla. After 37 years of marriage James and Jonalynn parted ways. James was a hard worker and his love for Alaska was immense. On his off time he loved to trap, do taxidermy, hunt, fish, work in his garden and spend time with his family. The last four and half years James enjoyed spending time with his loving partner Olga Cwikla.

James is survived by his brother, Harold (Bill) Helminiak of Ohio; Sister Mary Fetterman of Pennsylvania; his four children; daughter Deborah Miller (Jack); son’s Jack Merryfield, James Helminiak Jr. (Mary), and Ryan Helminiak; grandchildren, Heather Jackson (James), Amber Voorhis (Nick), Jared Brown (Mae), Danielle Miller (Justin), Adam Miller (Heather), JamieLynn Helminiak, Steve Helminiak, Olivia Helminiak, Brandon Welsh, Brittany Tompkins, Moses Merryfield, Abby Merryfield, Lia Thruston, Joseph Nichols, Lyndsey Pritchett; several great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter and significant other Olga Cwikla.

A potluck Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW, Susitna Post 9365, Wasilla, on August 10th at 2:00 p.m.