WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Myrl Joy Helwig, age 83, of Kalamazoo, died Sunday July 31, 2011 at Rose Arbor Hospice. She was born in Chicago, IL on July 12, 1928 the daughter of Henry and Marie (Svec) Poetz. She attended school in Chicago until the family moved to Michigan in 1943. Myrl graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1946 where she was selected as the D.A.R. Good Citizen. She also attended Michigan State University before moving to Kalamazoo in 1950.
Myrl was married to Roland “Ron” Helwig on May 12, 1956 in Saint Edward Catholic Church in Mendon. They made their home in Kalamazoo where both active members of the Kalamazoo County Republican Party. She served as precinct delegate, was Treasurer for eight years, and attended four national conventions. She and Ron were honored with the Diamond Award for their contributions to the Kalamazoo County G.O.P. in 2003.
Myrl had been employed by Fetzer Broadcasting Co., U.S. Rubber Co., and Western Michigan University in the Electrical Engineering Department before retiring in 1994. In her spare time she enjoyed reading and music.
Myrl was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ron; and her loving parents Henry & Marie Poetz. She is survived by a brother in law, Harold Helwig of Berkley, CA; nieces; nephews; cousins; and all her special friends at The Fountains retirement center.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon where the rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The funeral mass will be 1 p.m. Thursday Aug. 4, 2011 in Saint Edward Catholic Church in Mendon with Rev. Father Jim Vinh Le officiating. Burial will take place in Saint Edward Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Rose Arbor Hospice. An online register is available at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
