Jeremiah Helgesen

Jeremiah Helgesen, an adventurous spirit and loving father, passed away on August 25, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Born on February 9, 1982, Jeremiah lived a life that was as daring as it was generous. He was a proud fourth-generation United States Air Force veteran, serving two six-month tours in Afghanistan and Kuwait, and achieving the rank of Tech Sargent. Jeremiah demonstrated his adventurous spirit and deep commitment to service by ensuring the safety of the aircraft and the personnel they carried. His 15 years of service were marked by courage and dedication, inspiring those around him. While stationed at the 122nd Air National Guard base of Fort Wayne, Jeremiah worked as Crew Chief, where he was responsible for the planes the entire time they were grounded. He was in charge of making sure each plane received the required maintenance, as well as ensuring that each plane was launched and landed safely. Throughout his military career, Jeremiah also worked with fuel cells and hydraulics. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Jeremiah did just that, leaving a trail marked by bravery, resilience, and an unyielding spirit. Beyond his military service, Jeremiah was a man of many passions. After Jeremiah left the military, he went back to school to pursue a career in the Information Technology field, where he received several certificates. He found joy in the simple pleasure of building with Legos, a pastime he shared with his beloved daughter, Mya. He was also an avid sports enthusiast, Jeremiah loved playing softball, challenging himself in skiing and trick snowboarding, and was a diehard fan of the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Cubs. Jeremiah's love for Star Wars was well known among his family, adding to the tapestry of his vibrant, diverse interests. His love for life was infectious, and his generous nature touched all those who knew him. "The best portion of a good man's life," wrote William Wordsworth, "is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love." Jeremiah embodied this sentiment, living a life filled with love and kindness. Jeremiah is survived by Cassie Stoffer and their beloved daughter, Mya; his devoted parents, Andrew (Joan) Helgesen, and Donya (Douglas) Belh; his adored stepchildren, Dylan Hoot and Kaylei Voorhies; his sister, Jennifer Norris; step-brother, Brody Belh; niece, Oakley; his grandfather, Don Dowty; aunts and uncles, Brian Parks, Vicky McPike, Donna Helgesen, Arnold Helgesen, Greg Helgesen, Susan Teller, Stephanie Schnurr, Cheryl Snavley, and Don E. Dowty; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Arthur and Marilyn Helgesen, and Phyllis Dowty. Public visitation for Jeremiah will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 North Main Street Churubusco, Indiana 46723. Funeral services will be held at Churubusco United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11:00 AM with an additional public visitation one hour prior. Military honors and final interment will take place at Eel River Cemetery in Churubusco, Indiana immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeremiah's memory can be made to his daughter, Mya Helgesen. We invite you to leave your fond memories of Jeremiah and upload photos to his memorial page. These memories and images will serve as a tribute to Jeremiah, a testament to an adventurous, loving, generous, and inspiring life well-lived. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home has been entrusted with these arrangements.