John J. Helmstetter
December 28, 1940 - November 10, 2022 (Age 81)
LaVale—John J. Helmstetter, 81, of LaVale, passed away at his home on Thursday, November 10, 2022, with his family by his side.
Born in Cumberland, MD, on December 28, 1940, he was the son of the late Ferman and Mae Catherine (Clinedinst) Helmstetter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Margaret (Vaudois) Helmstetter, who passed away on March 16, 2014; brothers, Don and Ed; and infant sister, Barbara Jean.
John was a graduate of Allegany High School, class of 1958. Following high school, John served his country in the United States Air Force as a special currier stationed in Turkey. After being discharged, John was a sheet metal worker for ABL and Walter N. Yoder and Sons, Inc.
John was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Cumberland Elks Clubs, Cresaptown Eagles, and the Cumberland Moose. John enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. He also loved square dancing and camping. Most of all, he got great pleasure in helping his friends and neighbors. He was a kind, quiet man with a large and generous heart. John followed the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens, and NASCAR racing. He collected memorabilia, and John refurbished jukeboxes. He was known as “Jukebox John.”
John is survived by his children, Eva (Lowery) Gordon and husband Vic, Richard Lowery, Jr. and wife Rin, Daniel A. Lowery and wife Peggy Theresa “Tootsie” Logsdon and husband Matt; grandchildren Laura, Mark, Connor, Tripp, Tanner, Thomas, Keem, Care, Tucker, Travis, Taylor, Tallia, Tarryn, Tattum; great-grandchildren, Josie, Asher, Macy, Kendall and Harper; special friend, Terry Michels; sisters, Janet Riley and Eva Mae Lloyd; constant companion, his dog, Bella; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 15205 McMullen Hwy SW, Cresaptown, on Sunday, November 13, 2022 from 2-5 P.M.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 16 Washington Street, on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 1 P.M. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Military honors will be accorded by the Fort Cumberland Post 13 Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor John’s memory may do so by making contributions to the Schwab Cancer Center at the UPMC Western Maryland, Attn: Julie Hardy, 12500 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD 21502.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at UPMC Western Maryland for the kind, considerate care they had given John over the last twelve years of his cancer treatment. The family is especially grateful to Drs. Bijjula, Aygen, Koor, and the nursing staff at the Schwab Cancer Center.
