Burdette "Burley" Helenius

Burdette “Burley” Helenius passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 24, 2018 after a lengthy illness. He was born October 4, 1946 in Grand Rapids to William and Ardella (Opperman) Helenius. He worked for General Motors for 36 years as a welder maintenance leader and was a skilled tradesman at heart. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved nothing more than being out in the woods hunting or being in his boat, on the ice, or in the river fishing. He loved playing tennis, going bowling, and watching baseball and football. He is survived by wife, Jeanne; sons, Laars Helenius and Kyle (Dana) Helenius; brother, Sidney (Nancy) Helenius; stepsiblings, Randy (Gloria) Crump, Diane (Walt) Dunbar, and Donna Korstange; six grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, Ralph Crump; daughter, Colleen; sister, Vawn Punches; stepsister, Linda Crump. The family will meet with friends Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 pm and 10 am Thursday at Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where a memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 am. Pastor Bruce Wilson officiating. Interment Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.