HELMERS, Jerome C. Sr., age 85 of Hamilton, died Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at his home. He was born in Cincinnati, OH, on August 11, 1921, the son of Lawrence and Stella (Heidkamp) Helmers. Mr. Helmers was a graduate of Immaculate Conception elementary school and Purcell High School. He attended Xavier University, and served in the US Marine Corp, during WWII. On November 9, 1946, in St. James Church, Wyoming, OH, he married Mary Brotherton. An industrial engineer, he worked at the Fisher Body, Hamilton Plant, for twenty-nine years, retiring in 1979. A member of St. Peter in Chains Church, he also was a member of the Knights of Columbus # 968, the American Legion, the Catham Club, and the Immaculata Senior group. He was inducted into the Purcell High School Athletic Hall of Fame, as well as the Butler County Softball Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; seven children, Mary Ann (Gary) Gault, Dr. Jerome C. (Lizbeth Jo) Helmers Jr., Kathy (Tom) Mergy, Karen (Mark) Kiep, Nancy (Greg) Fetters, Janet (Steve) Hazlebeck, and Pamela (Mark) Bange; twenty-two grandchildren, Christi(Mark) Dodson, Andrea (Bax) Hobson, Ben Helmers, Maggie (Adam) Kastl, Jeff, David, Scott, and Greg Mergy, Brian (Ali), Sarah, and Brad Kiep, Kevin, Katie, Matthew, Lisa, and Jack Fetters, Michael, Ben, and Rachel Hazlebeck, John, Danny, and Jill Bange; three great grandchildren, Erin, Nick, and Julianne Hobson; three brothers, Lawrence (Jeanne) Helmers, Joseph Helmers, and Paul (Claire) Helmers; a sister, Delores Williams.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Sr. Ann Alexis, Sisters of Charity.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff of Hospice of Hamilton, for the special care they provided

Prayers will be offered at 9:30 am Saturday in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am Saturday in St. Peter in Chains Church. Visitation will be from 5-8:00pm Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter Church. Online register book at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com