Michael J. Helmick

Palmer resident Michael J. Helmick, 61, died at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center on Feb. 4, 2006, due to a heart attack.

A visitation will be 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at Evergreen's Eagle River Funeral Home, 11046 Chugiak Dr. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at Birchwood Community Church, with Brad Norris and Robert Chadwick officiating. At a future date, a private service will be held at the family farm in Silica, W. Va., where his cremated remains will also be scattered.

Mr. Helmick was born in April 16, 1944 in Clarksburg, W. Va., to Stanley and Francis Helmick. In 1963, he graduated from Washington Irving High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served until 1969. In 1964, he was stationed at

Elmendorf Air Force Base. In 1972, he moved back to Alaska, where he lived in Chugiak before moving to Palmer in 2001.

He held a bachelor of arts degree in business from Salem College and worked for Alaska Business College in 1973, with BP from 1974 until 1986, and for the state of Alaska from 1991 until his death.

He was a member of Palmer Community Church and treasurer and deacon at First Baptist Church of Birchwood. He was the president of the Focus Board from 1987 until 1992, and was honored as Parent of the Year in 2001.

Mr. Helmick enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, youth bowling and being on the traveling team. His family wrote, &#8220He was a loving husband and devoted father to his own and more than 40 foster children.”

Mr. Helmick is survived by his wife, Linda Helmick; sons, Eric, Aaron, Devin, Craig, Dillon and Luke Helmick; daughter, Brandy Helmick; father-in-law, John Clayton; aunt, Patty Helmick; cousin and spouse, Chris and Kisty Helmick; brother-in-law, Otto Matheny; sisters-in-law, Charlene and Margery Lipenski, and many other relatives on both sides.

His parents; sister, Barbara Matheny, and mother-in-law, Shirley Clayton, preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Mat-Su Special Olympics. Evergreen's Eagle River Funeral Home made arrangements.