Max F. Helman

With a heavy heart we announce that Max Helman passed peacefully on July 13, 2025 surrounded by family at the age of 86. To those fortunate enough to have known him, Max will be remembered as an angel on earth who always had a smile, rarely had a worry, and never met a stranger.

Born March 29, 1939, in Terre Haute, IN to Mary (Barrett) and Louis Helman. Max grew up with his parents and his brother. He was a man of simple pleasures like birthday celebration’s (especially his own), sports, cookouts, and enjoying his once-a-year grapefruit beer, a tradition that started on his 80th birthday. His family was his whole world.

Like most children, Max became fascinated with firefighters, but Max took it a whole new level becoming a regular at the Number 10 station and often beating firefighters to fires on his bicycle. He would maintain that dedication throughout his life until retiring where he was made an honorary firefighter. When he wasn’t chasing fires, Max worked at Helman’s grocery until the store was sold. Later in life, Max enjoyed playing horseshoes at Collett Park until finally retiring.

Max is survived by his brother Michael Helman and sister-in-law Susan Helman, whom were his caregivers; nephew Michael Helman (Amanda) and niece Melissa Brown (Eric); great nephews Gideon Brown (Rachael) and Parker Brown and great nieces Isabella Brown (Nolan) and Eleanor Helman.

Services will be on Friday, July 18, 2025 at Saint Joseph’s Church with visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and a mass of Catholic burial at 11:00a. Max will be buried in Calvary Cemetery next to his parents.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church or the Humane Society in lieu of flowers.