Donald “Donnie” Wayne Helmick, 81, a resident of Hendricks, passed from this life Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center in Elkins.
Donnie was born in Thomas on Saturday, August 26, 1944, a son of the late Dave Helmick and Lilly Blanche Lewis Helmick. On July 12, 1963, in Oakland, Md, he married Linda Lou Bright Helmick, who preceded him in death on November 30, 2024. They had celebrated sixty-one years of marriage.
Left to cherish Donnie’s memory are three children, David Helmick and wife, Tina, of Fairmont, Kevin Helmick and wife, Donna, of Hambleton, and Annette Rhodes and husband, Paul, of Hendricks, four grandchildren, Bayli Rhodes, Steven Rhodes, David Rhodes and Jon Rhodes, five great grandchildren, Kyliey Rhodes, Maddie Rhodes, Wrenley Rhodes, Aspen Kline Rhodes, Asher Rhodes, and two on the way, Isla Rhodes and baby Rhodes, three sisters, Wanda Jean Knotts, Maxine “Connie” Eye, and Madeline “Carroll” Precht, and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and wife, Donnie was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald Helmick and Glenn “Red” Helmick, and a sister, Catherine “Bet” Lipscomb.
Donnie was a graduate of Parsons High School. He was a coal miner for Island Creek Coal Company and Consol and had also worked in maintenance for Canaan Valley Resorts and at the Parsons Church of God. Donnie enjoyed fishing, hunting, was a “Tinker Tom” and enjoyed assembling model cars. He could be seen riding his yellow four-wheeler through Hendricks and was unofficially known as the mayor of Hendricks. Donnie loved yard sales and thrift store shopping. In his younger days he was an avid swimmer, spending many days swimming at the 7-foot hole. He was a member of the Parsons Church of God and had considered Rev. Eli Hostetler as a dear friend and mentor.
Donnie’s request for cremation will be honored. The Hostetler Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Donald “Donnie” Wayne Helmick. Send online condolences to the family at www.hostetlerfuneralhome.com.
