”In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Jeffrey Charles Helmling, 54, passed away at the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Center on February 18, 2024 surrounded by family. He was born on October 30, 1969 to Charles and Carolyn (Morrison) Helmling. He grew up in Rootstown and attended school, graduating in 1988 from Rootstown High School. Jeff was a lifelong resident of the Rootstown community.
Jeff will be remembered for his unfailing love of his entire family and life. If you met him as a stranger, he quickly became your friend. If you needed a helping hand, Jeff was there. Jeff talked with everyone, especially if you had a vehicle he was interested in buying. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy and lessons will live on for a hundred lifetimes.
The love of his community and strong work ethic led him to his work for the Portage County Engineers and D&K Trucking. Jeff’s first jobs were working on his family’s farms. He enjoyed out of town trips and spending time with family. He also enjoyed visiting junk yards looking for clean or rare parts but always finding good junk, running derbies, hunting, and rebuilding trucks.
Jeff is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Pamela (Riemenschneider); daughters Hannah (fiancé Jacob) and Amber (fiancé Josh), son Adam (Gia) Helmling; loving parents Charles and Carolyn Helmling; sisters Christina (Roger) Taylor and Lisa (George) Yukich; Mother-in-law Shirley Riemenschneider; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and family.
Jeff is preceded in death by his sister Kimberly Ann Helmling, his maternal Grandparents Cyrus & Dorothy (Houser) Morrison, his paternal Grandparents Frederick & Esther (Baldwin) Helmling, Father-in-law Elmer Riemenschneider, Uncle Harold Morrison, cousin Steven Morrison, and Sister-in-law Barbara Biben.
A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2643 Waterloo Road, Mogadore, Ohio 44260 on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00am, Father James Lang officiating. Reception immediately follows at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2697 Waterloo Road, Mogadore. Everyone is welcome at one or both the mass and/or reception, come as you are just as Jeff would have wanted you to. If you own a truck, or 4×4, drive it to the service and fly your American flag for Jeff. Jeff will be deeply missed until we meet again
