Jerry Helphinstine

Jerry Helphinstine was a proud American known for the selfless love and unwavering care he provided his family. He was a man who desired little and was quite content in relaxing within the comfort of his own home. Jerry found happiness in many things, but nothing delighted him more than spending time with his family and grandsons.

The first years of the 1940s marked a tumultuous decade for America, as well as for the rest of the world. In Europe, fighting erupted between Allied and Axis forces and America would soon be drawn into this conflict by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. For Floyd and Dorothy (Fogleman) Helphinstine of Hillsboro, Kentucky, the biggest news of 1941 was not the war, but rather the birth of their son, Jerry, on July 14th. Along with his sisters, Joy and Jo Ann, Jerry grew up in the foothills of Hillsboro.

Jerry was in his early 20s when he met the love of his life, Hazel Baker. At the time, he was working cutting down trees in an area where Hazel’s sister was building a cabin, and she happened to be there visiting from West Virginia. A romance blossomed between the two and although there were many miles between them, Jerry would drive however long it took to see his sweetheart Hazel. After 18 months of courtship, Jerry and Hazel were happily married on December 21, 1963. The newlyweds eventually moved to Mooresville, Indiana, where they would raise their two children: Karyn and Jerry “Cowboy” II. A devoted family man, Jerry spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving husband and father, succeeding in providing the best for his family. He was a loyal employee of Amtrak for 35 years as a Carman before retiring in 2000.

Being retired meant Jerry had more time to devote to his many passions and activities. A real outdoorsman, Jerry enjoyed taking weekend camping trips with his wife and son, particularly to Jo Ann's in Kentucky. They always found time to do some fishing, though Hazel did most of the catching. Jerry would bait her hook and take the fish off for her, so he didn’t really catch much himself. Jerry very much appreciated nature and liked to feed squirrels and rabbits that came around.

Jerry didn’t need great “things” in his life to make him happy. He simply loved spending his time surrounded by the love and smiles of his wife, children and two grandsons, who he adored. Jerry would have devoted every moment to them, if time allowed. Still, there was nothing like sitting on his back porch listening to his son, Jerry, play the guitar, or relaxing in his recliner with his son’s dog, Lexus, nestled right next to him. This was the good life!

Although Jerry had no health problems to speak of, he tragically died after a sudden heart attack at his home on Sunday, January 31, 2010, at the age of 68. Jerry will always be remembered as a hardworking man who loved to be with his family. He will be greatly missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Dorothy Helphinstine, and his sister, Joy. Survivors include his wife, Hazel (Baker) Helphinstine; daughter, Karyn Lawrence (Dale) of Mooresville; son, Jerry “Cowboy” Helphinstine, II. of Mooresville; sister, Jo Ann Willeroy of Morehead, Kentucky; grandsons, Joshua and Jesse Lawrence.

Local visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 2, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel. Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 5, in Hutton Funeral Home, 7634 Hillsboro Road, Hillsboro, Kentucky, with calling there from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 4. Burial will be in Hillsboro Cemetery. Please visit Jerry’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.