Leon William Helak

PLYMOUTH - Leon W. Helak, 83, of Plymouth, IN, formerly of North College Street, South Bend, IN, passed away at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, June 15, 2008, in Miller's Merry Manor, Plymouth, IN. Leon was born on November 1, 1924, in South Bend, to William J. and Sophie (Wiatrolik) Helak. He served as a South Bend Police Officer from 1949 to 1969. After retiring from the Police Department, Leon worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker.

On May 21, 1949, in St. Vincent DePaul Church, Elkhart, IN, he married Lucille M. Battista, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Judith (Peter) Jank of Grossbottwar, Germany, Lauren (David) Toepp of Farmington Hills, MI, and Maryann Helak of Indianapolis, IN; four sons, David (Kathy) Helak of Wyoming, MI, Thomas (JoAnna) Helak of Tampa, FL, John (Amy) Helak of Lakeville, IN, and Michael (Laura) Helak of Lilburn, GA; twelve grandchildren, Martin (Jennifer) Jank, Matthew (Nicole) Helak, Maggie (Zack) Whitley, Paul Segallos, Steven Helak, Karen, Adam and Rachel Toepp, Nicholas and Hannah Helak, and Samuel and Christopher Helak; two great-grandchildren, Collin and Jack Helak; one brother, Donald (Alvina) Helak of South Bend, IN; and by several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his daughter, Katherine Holden; his grandson, Scott Jank; and two sisters, Geraldine and Loretta Helak.

Leon was a graduate of St. Stanislaus Grade School and Central High School. He served his county during W.W. II in the Army Air Force, where he was an airplane mechanic. Leon was active in Holy Cross Parish for over 50 years. He was a member of the FOP Lodge #36. He ushered sports events at the University of Notre Dame for several years and had lived in the former Knute Rockne home on College Street. Leon enjoyed woodworking and making toys for his grandchildren.

05/25/2022 EJS