Cover photo for Ralph Helsel, Jr.'s Obituary
Ralph Helsel, Jr. Profile Photo

Ralph Helsel, Jr.

August 20, 1948 — May 29, 2024

Beaver Creek Twp.

Ralph Helsel Jr was born August 20th 1948 in Lake City Michigan.

Ralph was the oldest child and only son to Ralph Sr and Betty Helsel. Ralph married his childhood sweetheart on October 7th 1965, Carolyn Irene Galloway. Ralph and Carolyn lived a life that many only dream of living. In a time when the world said they’d never make, love and only love proved they would.

Ralph was always a hard working family man and proved that by the family business he owned. Later in life when the road lead Ralph and Carolyn to the mountains they enjoyed over 25 years in the foothills of North Carolina before relocating back to Michigan in late 2017.

Left behind to tell the tales and keep his memory alive: Son Greg (Nancy), Daughter Kim (late Joe VanNuck), Daughter Janice (Jim Smith), Sisters; Terri (late Ed Papendick), Jackie Helsel, Julie McClain, Marjean (Harry Love) and Pam (Vince Sanders); Sister-in-Law, Thelma Galloway, Brother-In-Law, John Galloway Jr., Grandchildren, Todd (Holly Stamey), Nick Helsel, Amanda VanNuck, Dillon (Heather Helsel), Joey VanNuck, Parker (Baileigh Smith) and Hunter Smith; Great-grandchildren, Norah Kate, Cameron, Lydia, Isaiah and Stetson James; many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Meeting Ralph at Heaven's Gate is his wife Carolyn of 58 years, parents Ralph & Betty Helsel, Father-in-law, John Galloway Sr, Mother-in-Law, Mary Galloway, Brother-in-Law  Ed Papendick, Niece Angie Papendick Moggo and Son-in-Law Joe VanNuck, Sr.

Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph Helsel, Jr., please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Monday, June 3, 2024

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

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Sorenson Lockwood Funeral Home, Inc.

1108 W North Down River Rd
Grayling, MI 49738

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Monday, June 3, 2024

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Sorenson Lockwood Funeral Home, Inc.

1108 W North Down River Rd
Grayling, MI 49738

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside Service

Monday, June 3, 2024

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Beaver Creek Township Cemetery

9000 West 7 Mile Road
Grayling, MI 49738

To follow funeral service

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