Matthew W. Helmerick, 61, of Lafayette, passed away, after a courageous four year battle with cancer, on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at IU Health Arnett Hospital. He was born October 2, 1963, in Lafayette, IN, to Melvin and Linda (Ledman) Helmerick of Lafayette.
Matt was a 1981 graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School and served in the US Air Force for 10 years. On September 1, 1984, he married Rose-Ethel Walters in Lafayette and she survives.
Matt was a Mail Handler for the US Postal Service for 26 years and retired on November 1, 2019. He was a member of The Grove Covenant Church, American Legion Post 11 and the National Street Rod Association.
Matt centered his life around God, his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. He was always there to help his family, friends, and neighbors. Matt lived life to the fullest and rarely turned down the opportunity to try something new or challenge himself. He was a jokster at heart and could respond with the one-liners faster than you could blink, and if you knew him at all you knew which Indiana college he rooted for (go IU).
He enjoyed golf, working on his hot rod, music from almost any genre, working in his yard, drawing, making bracelets, traveling with Rose, and was an avid Opa to his grandchildren. Matt was so good at remembering off-hand comments by Rose, his girls, the grandkids, or his parents, especially when they said they liked something. It wasn’t surprising to find that “something” show up under the Christmas tree or as a random present. He was a true giver at heart.
Surviving along with his wife are his daughters Brittany L. (Micah) Montes of Chesapeake, VA, Katie D. (Corey) Aldridge of Lafayette, grandchildren Gabby and Asher Montes and Brady and Brooks Aldridge.
Also surviving is his brother Mark A. (Mendy) Helmerick of Lafayette.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 1:00 pm on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, Pastor Stacey Littlefield officiating. Interment will be at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens in West Lafayette, IN.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Phil’s Friends in Matthew’s memory.