Bernard Walter Helmila, age 83, of Miles City, MT and formerly Republic, MI passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.

Bernard was born in Republic, Michigan on January 13, 1925, the son of Walter and Elizabeth (Jackola) Helmila. He attended school in Republic and graduated in 1943. He married Esther Carlson on June 2, 1962 in Republic. Bernard enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 to 1946 and again from 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1962 . Bernard retired from Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company. He worked in underground mines as a miner and open pit mines as a machinist.

Bernard was a lifetime member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic, Michigan. He was also a member of the Grant-Nyman VFW Post #5014 in Republic, The Republic Area Historic Society, American Legion Post #0005 in Miles City, and was an associate member of the First Lutheran Church in Miles City. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, skiing, snowshoeing and hunting. He also enjoyed watching politics and the news on TV.

Bernard is survived by his wife, Esther Helmila of Miles City, MT and Republic, MI; a daughter, Jan Dawson (Wes Malenovsky) of Miles City, MT; two grandchildren: Nicolas Laakso and Teresa Laakso and her children Lyzia and Andrew Laakso; a son-in-law, Chuck (Gail) Laakso of Miles City, MT; his siblings: Viola Mackey of Detroit, MI; Wally (Marilyn) Helmila of Republic, MI; and Carol (John) Crothers of Lincoln Park, MI; an uncle, Andrew Jackola of Menominee, MI; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Norma Mattila.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the Republic Cemetery.