Jerry Helvey
On Jan. 24, 2016, Jerry Helvey passed away peacefully in his home in the TidePointe Community, Hilton Head Island, S.C. He really enjoyed everything about living there—the friends, the staff and the food.
Jerry was born on July 31, 1933, and was the older son of Frances and Leo Helvey. He graduated from Plymouth HS, Plymouth, and DePauw University, Greencastle, with a major in economics. After graduation Jerry married Della Phillips on Aug. 7, 1955.
Jerry was the founder and owner of Helvey & Associates, Warsaw, and served on the Lake City Bank Board of Directors in Warsaw for 29 years. He actively served his industry as a state and federal lobbyist as well as a certified national instructor for legislative action and management for hospitals, utilities, businesses and professionals.
Jerry also served as a frequent speaker on credit and collections and served as the president and board member of Consumer Credit Counselors Services. He served as chair, director and member of seven American Collectors Association national committees. Jerry received several American Collectors Association honors. Most notably, Jerry was distinguished as a two time recipient of the “Paul Bunyan” citation which is the Association’s top honor.
Throughout his professional life, Jerry was also very active in the community and president of many organizations including serving as the president of the United Fund of Kosciusko County, president of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy, President of the Kosciusko County Hospital Authority and was appointed by former Indiana Governor Otis Bowen as a member of the Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission. Jerry further served his community as the president of the Wawasee Community School Board, served as the chair of committees for the United Methodist Church. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Shrine.
He is survived by his wife: Della; their two daughters: Lynn Bryant, Mishawaka; Jane Fry (Marc), Nashville Tenn.; two granddaughters: Angela West (Jeff); Amy Harr (AJ); and four great-grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his daughters and granddaughters.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Don.
A funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at the Island Funeral Home, 4 Cardinal Road, Hilton Head Island. A memorial gathering to meet Jerry’s famiy will be held at 4 p.m. that afternoon in the TidePointe ballroom.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations be made in memory of Jerry Helvey to the TidePointe Community Educational Fund or the charity of your choice.