Michael M. Helgert, 68, Plover, died Saturday, March 16, 2013, after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The Pisarski Community Funeral Home of Plover assisted with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Mr. Helgert was born Nov. 25, 1945, in Fond du Lac, a son of the late John and Margaret “Marge” (Zanow) Helgert. He was raised in Milwaukee. He attended St. Aloysius Elementary School in West Allis, Pius High School and graduated from Francis Jordan High School in Milwaukee.
After high school, at the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy Oct. 16, 1963, in Milwaukee. He served on the USS Independence during the Vietnam War. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He was honorably discharged Oct. 15, 1969.
He re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Feb. 1, 1969. He served as a sergeant during the Vietnam War as a weapons mechanic, receiving the Air Force Longevity Service Award and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged Jan. 4, 1972. He then re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Jan. 5, 1972, where he served another tour of duty in Upper Heyford, England. He was honorably discharged July 2, 1976, at the Homestead Air Force Base.
He then joined the Air Force Reserves when he met his wife, Roseann Hammond of West Allis. He continued his military career as a reservist and civil service unit administrator before coming back to Wisconsin in 2000 when he retired from the military and civil service. He worked in real estate for a few years before retiring completely.
He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He volunteered with VFW Post 10262 of Plover.
Survivors include his wife; twin sister Margaret “Meg” Helgert, Portland, Ore.; three stepdaughters, Theresa (James) Wilson, Springstead, Victoria (Steve) O’Connell, Florence, Wis., and Christina (Shawn) Keefe; and seven stepgrandchildren.
