James W. Helfers

Chaplain (Ret.) James W. Helfers of North Little Rock and Sherwood left this world and is present with the Lord on April 27, 2018 at age 86. Rev. Helfers retired as Chaplain of the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Arkansas Veterans' Health Care System, Little Rock, Ark. In addition to his ministerial work, Chaplain Helfers focused on his own personal Christian faith, his family and his music. He showed in many ways that he loved his wife, his children and his friends, and he sacrificed his time and energy for them. He loved music and especially playing the piano, accompanying his wife Carole for many years as she sang at church, and accompanying his children's instrumental solos and the singing at many services. His playing of hymns and classical compositions (as well as his playing of Fats Waller's boogie-woogie songs) was legendary, and a source of much joy and entertainment. Born in Des Plaines, Ill, Rev. Helfers served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he received the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service for his participation in a rescue operation for South Korean train crash victims. He received his B.A. degree from Roosevelt University (Chicago, Ill.), and his Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Religious Education, and Master of Divinity degrees from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Oak Brook, Ill). He also received Advanced Certification in Clinical Pastoral Education at Augustana Lutheran Hospital (Chicago, Ill). Ordained by the American Baptist Churches, USA, Rev. Helfers pastored Rapatee Union Church (Rapatee, Ill.), West Pullman Baptist Church (Chicago, IL), and served as Chaplain at Oak Forest Hospital (Oak Forest, Ill.). As Chaplain, he received numerous performance awards for superior and outstanding service to U.S. military veterans, including a Service Award for 30 years of Dedicated Service to the U.S. Government, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington D.C. He ministered in the greater Little Rock community as a guest speaker and pianist in local churches, senior citizens' housing projects, assisted living centers, and at the Union Rescue Mission. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Myrtle, and his brother Elmer ("Junior"). He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Carole, and their children, Jim (Christine), Debbie Vaile (Gary), Joy Willis (Mike), and Sandy Schneider (John); grandchildren, Beth (Steve), Nathan (Tana), Christine (Wes), Charity (Matt), Brandon (Sarah), Justin (Taylor), Katherine (Jake) and John; and five great-grandchildren, Ava, Makaela, Eden, Emma and Eliza. Visitation will be held at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, North Little Rock, from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 2; funeral services will be held at Roller-Owens at 10 a.m. Thursday morning, with a graveside committal immediately following at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Union Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 164057, Little Rock, Ark. 72216 or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251 or Our Daily Bread Ministries, P.O. Box 2222, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49501-2222. Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.