Joe Allen Helms, Jr.

Joe Allen Helms Jr., 44, of Dennis, Kan., died at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Elmhaven West Nursing Home in Parsons following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 31, 1968, in Parsons, Kan., to Joe Allen Helms Sr. and Connie Kay (Wass) Helms. From 1986 through 1991, he served in the United States Marine Corps and during the Gulf War had served as a crew chief on the HMH-465 Super Stallion. Upon his discharge, he was a maintenance supervisor at Wal-Mart Aviation in Bentonville, Ark. In July of 1993, he joined the Army National Guard in Tulsa, Okla. In 1996, he was accepted for Warrant Officer Candidate School and Black Hawk Helicopter Flight School at Fort Rucker, Ala. Joe had served over 20 years in the military. Survivors include two daughters, Kasey Jo Helms, Oswego, Kan., Kayla Renee Helms, Oswego, Kan.; parents, Joe and Connie Helms, Dennis, Kan. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2012, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery near Dennis. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.