John Oliver Helling

John Oliver Helling, 84, died February 14, 2018. Maury County will miss a very special gentleman, as John Helling lost his battle with several medical issues. A Celebration of the Life of John Oliver Helling will be conducted Sunday at 5:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Chip Hunter officiating. The family will visit with friends Sunday from 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Powell-Wiswall Cemetery in Ballston Spa, New York, at a later date.In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to your favorite charity or Animal Rescue and Shelters in John Helling's name. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.Born August 8, 1933 in Rochester, NY, he was the son of Paul Helling and Marie Kroheberger Helling, . He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carol Lang Helling. John was a talented and well known chemist, educated at the University of Rochester. He worked as an Emulsion Chemist at Kodak as well as being a realtor for Notangle Realty and a Clean Room Technician at University of Rochester. Attending the First Methodist Church in downtown Columbia, he was an active member of the congregation, and loved singing in the church choir. A man of many interests and hobbies, John was a Master Gardener, a verified Beekeeper, and was known for volunteering where needed. He was a familiar face at Maury Regional Hospital, as he staffed the Hospitality Cart down the hallways. Never one to sit for long, he busied himself with swimming at the YMCA, and was always up for a game of Bingo where he resided at Poplar Estates. Loving his family, John was very proud of his German heritage, and stayed in touch via email, with German cousins and family. John loved many things, especially adoring his grandchildren, and often baking cookies and brownies, and arriving at their house while the goodies were still warm. Loving life in general, he faithfully read the Bible, enjoyed Channel 2 television, taking the grandchildren for a walk to the library, birdwatching, and always enjoyed chatting with his neighbors in downtown Columbia. Among his favorite "people" would have to be "Ivan," a handsome Huskie dog that John loved so very much. Faithfully walking Ivan on the city streets, or driving on errands with Ivan riding shotgun, was a joy to watch by friends and strangers alike. John's favorite nickname for Ivan was "Baby". They were inseparable and now reunited in the afterlife. Survivors include his son, Paul Helling (fiancée, Josie Lehman) of California; daughter, Jill Helling Slusser and her husband Scott Slusser of Columbia, TN; grandchildren, Harrison, Ellanora, Sophia, and Isabella Slusser; and sister, Ellen Curtis (Don) of NY.Special thanks go out to many, including Georgette Smith, prior Activities Director at Morning Pointe; the amazing staff at Poplar Estates, where John resided: dear and faithful friend, Lil Moore; neighbors in downtown Columbia; the caring staff of Maury Regional Hospital; First Methodist Church Pastor and Congregation.