Felix Martin Hellmann

Felix Martin Hellmann died Thursday afternoon, September 17, 2015, at Heart Prints, an assisted living home in Mesa, Arizona from causes incident to his age. He was 95 years old. Felix was born on a Saturday, March 13, 1920, in Munday, Knox County, Texas to his parents, the late Jacob and Theresa (Loran) Hellmann. When he was 16 years old, Felix moved to Arizona. On January 7, 1942, he heard his country's call and entered into active military duty, serving in the United States Army Air Corps. His military service took him to the frontlines of the European Campaign Theater of World War II. He saw, first hand, the ravages of war; serving in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland as well as Central Europe. Nearly 4 years later, Felix received his honorable discharge from the military. He was so proud to be an American. Just one week after his return from war, he married his forever sweetheart, Velera Whylene Gifford on November 19, 1945, in Phoenix, Arizona. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where all of their children knelt quietly around the altar with them. Shortly after their marriage, Felix began a long and successful career working, as a truck driver, for Safeway. When he retired, 42 years later, he was well known by every Safeway store in the state. Many missed his gentle smile and cheery disposition. The past many years, Felix made his home in Gilbert. While there, he served as the baptismal coordinator for the Greenfield Stake of the LDS Church; a position he enjoyed for 14 years. On July 17, 2007, his wife, Whylene passed away. They had been married 61 years at the time of her death. Felix is survived by his 3 children: Vernal "Vern" (Renae) Hellmann, Theresa "Tass" (Larry) Wilson, Elizabeth Ann "Beth" (Randy) Nichols, all of Gilbert, Arizona; 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Along with his parents and wife, Felix was preceded in death by all of his siblings: Clara Leesch, Julius Hellmann, Bertha Wilson, Otelia "Tillie" Hellmann, Charles Hellmann, George Hellmann and Alfonse "Al" Hellmann. The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Thursday, September 24, 2015, at the Catalina Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1520 S. Catalina Street in Gilbert, Arizona where the visitation will begin 1 hour prior. The concluding service, with military honors, will follow at Valley of the Sun Memorial Park in Chandler, Arizona where he will be laid to rest alongside his eternal companion, Whylene. Felix's family would like to send a special "Thank-You" to Heart Prints Assisted Living, for the tender and loving care that they gave him during the past four years that he called their home, "his home." Also, his family is thankful for the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up on their behalf. The arrangements are being cared for by Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel in Show Low. Please visit: owenslivingstonmortuary.com to leave your online condolence.