Lewis E. Helwig, age 90 of Appleton City, Missouri passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at The Arbors in Clinton, Missouri. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, Missouri with interment in the Englewood Cemetery, Clinton. Visitation will be one hour prior to service at funeral home. Family suggests memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice and can be left in care of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home. Condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.

Lewis was born February 10, 1920 in Mexico, Missouri to Charles Louis and Ruby Edith (Smith) Helwig. Lewis was fourth of six children.

The family moved to Clinton in 1929. Lewis entered the army on February 20, 1942. He entered infantry combat on June 15, 1944. He was awarded 5 bronze stars for action in Normandy, France, Central Europe, the Ardennes, and Germany. He received the Purple Heart in 1945. The family received a photo of the bridge at Remagen he had crossed before it collapsed into the Rhine on March 15, 1945. After his discharge from the Army, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force, serving at many locations from 1946 to March, 1973. He was very proud to serve his country.

After his discharge, he was employed by a government contractor and spent 18 years working on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

Lewis later moved from Boise, Idaho to Appleton City to be near sisters, brothers, 10 nieces and nephews and other family members.
Survivors include sisters, Roberta Hurt and Lydia Graham; and brothers, Charles and friend Betty, Robert and wife Rita Jean, Lyle and wife Hester.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton.