The Helmer family would like to invite family + friends to Phoenix on December 28th to celebrate the life of John Lee Helmer (1942-2023).

Details

click below to learn more about dates + other details

• Memorial Service (service at the cemetery)

• Celebration of Life (dinner)

• Travel + Transportation

• Tips and other details

• Questions or Contact the hosts

• John’s Memorial Page (his obituary, upload photos, stories, etc)

Memorial Service

• Date: December 28th (Thurs)

• Time: 1:30-2:00 pm AZ time (MST in Dec) - 30 min
  Please arrive at minimum 15-20 minutes early to ensure time for parking. The ceremony is prompt at 1:30 and start will not be delayed at a military cemetery.

• Location: National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
  23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024

• EXACT ceremony location is TBD, in a shaded shelter. Parking will be along the road.

• Details: A memorial in an outdoor shaded area will be held where loved ones can express their thoughts, similar to a funeral home service. Guests are welcome to practice their faith during the memorial. Although John was baptized and raised catholic, he did not practice any religion in his adult life.

• Dress: If you’d like to dress up for the cemetery and change for the celebration, there will be time in between.

• Weather: Likely 50s, bring a jacket as we will likely be outdoors and in the shade
  
  Note: It is the same location (Uncle) Bruce Trudell is buried if you would like to visit. His location is Section 55, Site 2266.

Dinner

• Start time: ~3pm, dinner around 5pm

• Location: 5242 East Anderson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, an air bnb house ~15 minute drive from the cemetery

• Dress: casual, bring a suit for the hot tub or pool

• Schedule/Activities: There will be snacks, dinner, adult drinks, a slideshow, story sharing, videos playing and kid-friendly things. Pool + Jacuzzi as well as a billiards table.

  • ~3pm Arrive: within an hour after the ceremony ends

  • ~3:30pm Snacks/Apps/Drinks: Plenty of snacks, sodas, adult drinks, veggie options etc. We’ll be stocked at the Air bnb but if you have a favorite beer or something special, feel free to bring it.

  • ~5pm Buffet style dinner: (catering at Air BnB)

  • ~6pm Memorial slide show + storytelling

Air BNB Location

Immediate family members have rented an Air BnB where the celebration will be held. Extended family members are welcome to stop by outside of the celebration day between the evening of the 27th through Dec 29th. Address: 5242 East Anderson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, photos below and full Air BnB listing link for more details.

Transportation

• Ground/Car transpo

  • The Cemetery + Air BnB are less than a 15 minute drive or 7 miles from each other (see map above)

  • If you plan to travel around the city beyond the general events, it is recommended you rent a car.

  • Rideshare compaies: We recommend you use these rideshare companies for shorter trips: Uber , Lyft, Wridz, Waymo

Tips and other details

• Atmosphere: John liked to celebrate, expect margaritas

• Dress: John liked to be comfortable, but always combed his hair. Be comfortable, please comb your hair.

Questions or Contact the hosts

Please direct all general questions to Lee Helmer: lee@leehelmer.com, or text her.

To contact a specific family member (Helmers, Bax, Gerhardt, etc) and you don’t know their contact info, please email Lee and she can provide you with their info.