Ernest John Helco, age 83, of Vernal passed away June 1, 2011.
Ernest was born April 19, 1928 in Kenilworth, Utah, to John and Jenny Lynn Perry Helco. He married Lillian Wall Sept. 26, 1947 in Jensen, Utah.
Ernie was one of the youngest pilots to receive his license. His first solo flight was at age 14 and he licensed at 15. In his early years he worked in the oil field all the way from a deck hand to the top of the rig as a derrick hand and before long as a driller. Time passed and he joined his father mining near Huntington and hauling the coal to contracts throughout Utah. He later owned a business called Industrial Engine & Equipment Service as a specialized welder and mechanic repairing nearly every size and type of engine used in the Oil Field.
He also specialized in magneto repair and rebuilding. As a side business he also operated a Case Tractor and Farm Equipment Dealership. When the economy began to struggle during the mid 60s he took a job flying for Morris Knutson in North Dakota during the building of the missile silos. Upon his return to Vernal he reopened Industrial Engine for a time and completed his commercial pilots license at which time he began flying oil field crews into the Book Cliffs and freight to various locations in the U.S. for Gib Bennett. This led to starting his own charter flying service. Flight Aire, Inc., was started at the old Roosevelt airport branching out to Vernal and before he sold the business it had expanded to Rock Springs, Wyo., which became the headquarters. He flew people and supplies wherever they needed to go with most of his business from the oil industry.
He was a licensed Cessna dealer and at one time had 28 planes he was selling or renting. His operation was complemented by an elite aircraft repair shop with his son Leonard heading that part of the operation as a certified air craft repairman with inspection authority. He also ran a Cessna flight school at the facility. Upon selling Flight Aire he move to Arizona and eventually to Old Mexico where he purchased a home in San Carlos Sonora Mexico. As his health declined he felt he needed to return to the States near family.
During his leisure he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also loved to travel and experience new places.
He is survived by his wife Lillian, children, Darline (Don) Ufford, John (Jeri) Helco, all of Vernal; Leonard (Dede) Helco, Kingman, Ariz.; Trent (Clarice) Helco, Kristine (Brad) Bird, both of Vernal, 23 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Sorenson, son, Michael Helco, grandson, Darin Helco and great grandson Keton Allen.
Funeral services held Tuesday 11 a.m., June 7, at the Maeser Stake Center. Friends may call Monday evening at the church from 6-8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service. Burial in the Jensen Cemetery under direction of the Hullinger Mortuary.
Published in Uintah Basin Standard from June 6 to June 13, 2011
Ernest was born April 19, 1928 in Kenilworth, Utah, to John and Jenny Lynn Perry Helco. He married Lillian Wall Sept. 26, 1947 in Jensen, Utah.
Ernie was one of the youngest pilots to receive his license. His first solo flight was at age 14 and he licensed at 15. In his early years he worked in the oil field all the way from a deck hand to the top of the rig as a derrick hand and before long as a driller. Time passed and he joined his father mining near Huntington and hauling the coal to contracts throughout Utah. He later owned a business called Industrial Engine & Equipment Service as a specialized welder and mechanic repairing nearly every size and type of engine used in the Oil Field.
He also specialized in magneto repair and rebuilding. As a side business he also operated a Case Tractor and Farm Equipment Dealership. When the economy began to struggle during the mid 60s he took a job flying for Morris Knutson in North Dakota during the building of the missile silos. Upon his return to Vernal he reopened Industrial Engine for a time and completed his commercial pilots license at which time he began flying oil field crews into the Book Cliffs and freight to various locations in the U.S. for Gib Bennett. This led to starting his own charter flying service. Flight Aire, Inc., was started at the old Roosevelt airport branching out to Vernal and before he sold the business it had expanded to Rock Springs, Wyo., which became the headquarters. He flew people and supplies wherever they needed to go with most of his business from the oil industry.
He was a licensed Cessna dealer and at one time had 28 planes he was selling or renting. His operation was complemented by an elite aircraft repair shop with his son Leonard heading that part of the operation as a certified air craft repairman with inspection authority. He also ran a Cessna flight school at the facility. Upon selling Flight Aire he move to Arizona and eventually to Old Mexico where he purchased a home in San Carlos Sonora Mexico. As his health declined he felt he needed to return to the States near family.
During his leisure he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also loved to travel and experience new places.
He is survived by his wife Lillian, children, Darline (Don) Ufford, John (Jeri) Helco, all of Vernal; Leonard (Dede) Helco, Kingman, Ariz.; Trent (Clarice) Helco, Kristine (Brad) Bird, both of Vernal, 23 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Sorenson, son, Michael Helco, grandson, Darin Helco and great grandson Keton Allen.
Funeral services held Tuesday 11 a.m., June 7, at the Maeser Stake Center. Friends may call Monday evening at the church from 6-8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service. Burial in the Jensen Cemetery under direction of the Hullinger Mortuary.
Published in Uintah Basin Standard from June 6 to June 13, 2011
Ernest John Helco, age 83, of Vernal passed away June 1, 2011.
Ernest was born April 19, 1928 in Kenilworth, Utah, to John and Jenny Lynn Perry Helco. He married Lillian Wall Sept. 26, 1947 in Jensen, Utah.
Ernie was one of the youngest pilots to receive his license. His first solo flight was at age 14 and he licensed at 15. In his early years he worked in the oil field all the way from a deck hand to the top of the rig as a derrick hand and before long as a driller. Time passed and he joined his father mining near Huntington and hauling the coal to contracts throughout Utah. He later owned a business called Industrial Engine & Equipment Service as a specialized welder and mechanic repairing nearly every size and type of engine used in the Oil Field.
He also specialized in magneto repair and rebuilding. As a side business he also operated a Case Tractor and Farm Equipment Dealership. When the economy began to struggle during the mid 60s he took a job flying for Morris Knutson in North Dakota during the building of the missile silos. Upon his return to Vernal he reopened Industrial Engine for a time and completed his commercial pilots license at which time he began flying oil field crews into the Book Cliffs and freight to various locations in the U.S. for Gib Bennett. This led to starting his own charter flying service. Flight Aire, Inc., was started at the old Roosevelt airport branching out to Vernal and before he sold the business it had expanded to Rock Springs, Wyo., which became the headquarters. He flew people and supplies wherever they needed to go with most of his business from the oil industry.
He was a licensed Cessna dealer and at one time had 28 planes he was selling or renting. His operation was complemented by an elite aircraft repair shop with his son Leonard heading that part of the operation as a certified air craft repairman with inspection authority. He also ran a Cessna flight school at the facility. Upon selling Flight Aire he move to Arizona and eventually to Old Mexico where he purchased a home in San Carlos Sonora Mexico. As his health declined he felt he needed to return to the States near family.
During his leisure he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also loved to travel and experience new places.
He is survived by his wife Lillian, children, Darline (Don) Ufford, John (Jeri) Helco, all of Vernal; Leonard (Dede) Helco, Kingman, Ariz.; Trent (Clarice) Helco, Kristine (Brad) Bird, both of Vernal, 23 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Sorenson, son, Michael Helco, grandson, Darin Helco and great grandson Keton Allen.
Funeral services held Tuesday 11 a.m., June 7, at the Maeser Stake Center. Friends may call Monday evening at the church from 6-8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service. Burial in the Jensen Cemetery under direction of the Hullinger Mortuary.
Published in Uintah Basin Standard from June 6 to June 13, 2011
Ernest was born April 19, 1928 in Kenilworth, Utah, to John and Jenny Lynn Perry Helco. He married Lillian Wall Sept. 26, 1947 in Jensen, Utah.
Ernie was one of the youngest pilots to receive his license. His first solo flight was at age 14 and he licensed at 15. In his early years he worked in the oil field all the way from a deck hand to the top of the rig as a derrick hand and before long as a driller. Time passed and he joined his father mining near Huntington and hauling the coal to contracts throughout Utah. He later owned a business called Industrial Engine & Equipment Service as a specialized welder and mechanic repairing nearly every size and type of engine used in the Oil Field.
He also specialized in magneto repair and rebuilding. As a side business he also operated a Case Tractor and Farm Equipment Dealership. When the economy began to struggle during the mid 60s he took a job flying for Morris Knutson in North Dakota during the building of the missile silos. Upon his return to Vernal he reopened Industrial Engine for a time and completed his commercial pilots license at which time he began flying oil field crews into the Book Cliffs and freight to various locations in the U.S. for Gib Bennett. This led to starting his own charter flying service. Flight Aire, Inc., was started at the old Roosevelt airport branching out to Vernal and before he sold the business it had expanded to Rock Springs, Wyo., which became the headquarters. He flew people and supplies wherever they needed to go with most of his business from the oil industry.
He was a licensed Cessna dealer and at one time had 28 planes he was selling or renting. His operation was complemented by an elite aircraft repair shop with his son Leonard heading that part of the operation as a certified air craft repairman with inspection authority. He also ran a Cessna flight school at the facility. Upon selling Flight Aire he move to Arizona and eventually to Old Mexico where he purchased a home in San Carlos Sonora Mexico. As his health declined he felt he needed to return to the States near family.
During his leisure he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He also loved to travel and experience new places.
He is survived by his wife Lillian, children, Darline (Don) Ufford, John (Jeri) Helco, all of Vernal; Leonard (Dede) Helco, Kingman, Ariz.; Trent (Clarice) Helco, Kristine (Brad) Bird, both of Vernal, 23 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Sorenson, son, Michael Helco, grandson, Darin Helco and great grandson Keton Allen.
Funeral services held Tuesday 11 a.m., June 7, at the Maeser Stake Center. Friends may call Monday evening at the church from 6-8 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service. Burial in the Jensen Cemetery under direction of the Hullinger Mortuary.
Published in Uintah Basin Standard from June 6 to June 13, 2011
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