Marvin Helsel

Marvin P. Helsel Sr., 90, of Elkridge, Md., passed away Tuesday at his granddaughter Heather Tack's home in Ellicott City, Md., where he had lived for the past nine months.

He was born Dec. 13, 1924, in Kittanning, the son of Weldon and Bertha J. Helsel. He married the late Margaret “Pauline” Hawkins on Aug. 25, 1947, in Decatur, Ind., and she preceded him in death May 4, 2013.

Marvin served his country in the U.S. Air Force during World War II on the Pacific Island of Tinian. From there he volunteered to help man flights dropping relief supplies after the atom bombs were dropped in Japan.

Marvin was a graduate of Kittanning High School in 1947, and he earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Anderson University in 1952.

Marvin served six Church of God congregations, including as pastor for Crow Indians from 1980 to 1987 through Crow Agency in Montana. After retiring, he served as a chaplain for a nursing home in Findlay, Ohio, before moving to Seattle, Wash., to be near his sons. In Seattle, he served as an elder at Fairview Church of God and gave many hours of dedicated service to the congregation. He was a member of the National Rifle Association and the American Legion Post 3 of Findlay, Ohio.

He was a pastor for 35 years and was an ordained minister with Church of God for 62 years.

Surviving are his daughter, Marlene (Dan) Fortney of Elkridge, Md.; his sons, Marvin P. (Karen) Helsel Jr. of Seattle, Wash., and Mark P. (Cheri Dracobly) Helsel of Seattle, Wash.; five grandchildren, J. Pierre Fortney of Dubai, UAE, Heather (David) Tack of Ellicott City, Md., Sharon (Casey) Bernhardt of Penang, Malaysia, Philip (Carolyn Browning) Helsel of Austin, Texas, and Lewis Dracobly-Helsel; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Jerry, Harry and Joe Helsel.

HELSEL — Friends of Marvin P. Helsel Sr., who died Tuesday, June 23, 2015, will be received from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Ind.Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Sandy Hildebrand, pastor, officiating.Interment will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery in rural Berne, Ind.Preferred memorials are to go to Huntington's Disease Society of America.