(Retired From Bryan City Schools)
James Paul Helbig, age 84, of Bryan, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Anna’s House Hillside Country Living, Bryan, Ohio, after a brave fight against Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
He was a graduate of Elmhurst High School, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and received an Associate’s Degree in Business and Finance. James was a United States Air Force veteran, having served his country from 1965-1966 in Ankara, Turkey.
Jim returned to work for General Telephone in Fort Wayne. He later worked at Aro Corporation as a computer programmer for 17 years and Ramtec as a production manager.
Jim then retired from Bryan City Schools where he worked as the head of maintenance at Lincoln Elementary.
James was a member of the Bryan American Legion Post 284, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bryan, where he was active in the congregation serving on Church Council and the Parish Education Committee, playing on the church softball and dartball teams.
For many years he served as the committee chair for Boy Scout Troop 221. He loved spending time with family, especially when the grandchildren would visit, telling stories about summers spent with his grandparents in Alabama and his time in the Air Force serving in Turkey, watching the Cleveland “Indians,” bowling in the Aro bowling league on Tuesday nights and working all different kinds of word puzzles including crossword, sudoku and word search puzzles.
James Paul Helbig was born on Jan. 20, 1942, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Walter Carl and Valeria Inez (Jones) Helbig. He married Sharon Lee Smith on July 6, 1968, in Stryker, Ohio, and she preceded him in death on Feb. 24, 2017.
Surviving James are one daughter, Stacy Helbig-Knueve, of Bryan, Ohio; two sons, Jonathon (Heather) Helbig, of Gibbstown, New Jersey, and Joel (Sarah) Helbig, of Toledo, Ohio; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Knueve, Jillian Knueve, Kaitlyn Helbig, Grant Helbig and Samuel Helbig; a sister, Judith (James) Stewart, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; nephew, Bradley (Lori) Stewart, of Valparaiso, Indiana, and a niece, Shelby (Craig) Dornte, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Along with his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, Robert Stabler; mother-in-law, Nadene Smith, father-in-law, Leo “Jeff” Smith and his beloved dog, Larry.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 1-4 p.m. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Services will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Bryan, with Pastor Gretchen Mertes officiating. Visitation will also be held in the church for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Evansport Cemetery with graveside military rites provided by the combined Bryan American Legion/VFW Honor Detail.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the nurses and staff at CHP Homecare & Hospice, and at Hillside Country Living, especially Casey and Vicky.
Memorials are requested to Trinity Lutheran Church or CHP Homecare & Hospice. To sign the online register or to send condolences, please visit www.krillfuneralservice.com.