Helsel

David George Helsel, 86, of Perryville died at 3:30 a.m. Monday at the Golden Living Care Center in Shippenv-ille following a lengthy illness.

Born on Sept. 26, 1920, in the Dutch Hill area of Perry Township, Clarion County, he was son of Simeon and Chelsea Kriebel Helsel.

He was a 1940 graduate of the former Parker High School.

A veteran of World War II, he served with the 2114th AAF Base Unit of the Army Air Corps from Oct. 17, 1942, through April 14, 1944. He was honorably discharged at the rank of technical sergeant. He was an aerial engineer gunner on the famous B-17s of the war.

On his 10th mission over France, his bomber was shot down by the German enemy, and with God's help, he and a number of his crew survived the crash. Escaping the Germans for 52 days, with the help of the underground "Operation Bonaparte" and many wonderful French families, he and part of the crew arrived at the English Channel and back to England.

For his military service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Silver Wings, European Theatre Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the Distinguished Unit Badge.

He was a member of the Air Force Evadees, a 60-year member and past commander of the American Legion Post 598 in Parker, and a member of the VFW Post 7073, also of Parker.

Mr. Helsel was a member and past noble grand of the IOOF Lodge 278 of Butler and the Parker City-Allegheny Valley Lodge F. & A.M. 521 of Parker.

He was a longtime member of the West Freedom United Methodist Church, where he served as trustee and a member of the choir. He also was a trustee of the Perryville Cemetery.

Mr. Helsel retired in 1984 from Penreco Refinery at Karns City following years of employment there.

After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed many winters in Bradenton, Fla., and loved to care for his lawn, shrubbery, and garden in the summers in Perryville.

A devoted and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, he was married to the former Betty Jane Wetzel on June 23, 1951, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Janice Elaine Fisher and her husband, Gary, of Emlenton; two grandchildren, Joshua J. Fisher and his wife, Jacqueline, of Pine Terrace Park at Shippenville, and Adrienne Ann Fisher of Emlenton; two sisters, Ruth Karnes and her husband, Glenn, of Parker, and Rose Snyder and her husband, Ed, of Perry Township, and a niece, Sharon Master of Saxonburg.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Grace Helsel.

<B>HELSEL</B>— Friends of David George Helsel, who died Feb. 5, 2007, may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Wayne Street, Parker.Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.Burial will follow at Perryville Cemetery.Parker City-Allegheny Valley F. & A.M. 521 will have Masonic Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.Members of the American Legion and the VFW of Parker will conduct veterans memorial honors Thursday at funeral home following the service.