Obituary of Gary Vergil Helmstetter

Gary Vergil Helmstetter, 69-year-old resident of Doniphan, MO, formerly of New Windsor, MD, departed this life Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO. He was born February 28, 1954, in Cumberland, MD, to Leo Vincent and Nola Kathleen (Garland) Helmstetter.

Gary manned the sales counter at the Napa Auto Parts Store in Eldersburg, MD,  for many years, but his true calling was farming. He owned and worked on his farm in New Windsor, MD for 28 years. Gary was a kind father, devoted husband and loyal friend. Loved by everyone he met, Gary always left a smile on everyone's face with his always present sense of humor and quick wit. Being an outdoorsman, Gary enjoyed hunting, photography & loved helping his wife, Jenny, raise Labrador Retrievers. However, his favorite of all was spending time with his grandchildren, especially riding on the tractor or side by side, named Elmer. After retiring, Gary and Jenny decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the East Coast to a more laid back lifestyle in Doniphan/Ripley County. Gary had served in the Army National Guard and was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose #1381 in Westminster, MD. 

On May 30, 1982, Gary married Virginia “Jenny” (Jackson) Helmstetter at Prosperity United Methodist Church in Flintstone, MD. She survives. Also surviving are his children, Thomas D. Smith and wife Penney of Manchester, MD, Tammy M. Johnston and husband Les of Alton, MO, and Daniel S. Helmstetter and wife Alicia of Palm Coast, FL; his siblings, Rebecca Helmstetter-Warren of Hyndman, PA, Terry Helmstetter and wife, Pam, of Hancock, MD , Connie Jackson of Flintstone, MD, Roger Helmstetter and wife, Carolyn, of Cumberland, MD, Wayne Helmstetter and wife, Sue, of Cumberland, MD, Cindy Robinette and husband TR Flintstone, MD, Tim Helmstetter and wife, Debbie, of Ridgeley, WV, and Dale Helmstetter and wife, Carol, of Little Orleans, MD, and his grandchildren, Logan, Gavin, and Lilly Smith and Blake Helmstetter.

Gary resided at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in St. Louis, MO during his cancer treatments and requested in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s name to the ACSH Lodge in St. Louis.

No services are planned presently.