SIDNEY — Karen and Dennis Helman, of Sidney, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at a dinner hosted by their children for 24 guests at the Hong Kong Grill on May 1, 2016.
Dennis and the former Karen Hays were married May 6, 1956, at 2:30 p.m., in the First Church of God in Sidney. The Rev. Carl Hawkins performed the ceremony on a warm and sunny day that brought an evening shower. The bride’s dress burned in a department story fire 10 days before the wedding. In the week before the wedding, Irma Subler altered a replacement dress that was two sizes too large. Witnesses of the nuptials were best man David L. Helman, brother of the bridegroom, maid of honor Ginger Davey Williams, junior maid of honor Brenda Hays Oliver, sister of the bride, flower girl Deborah Moore White, and ring bearer Philip Hawkins. The couple had met as freshmen at Sidney High School and began dating as seniors in the class of 1955.
Dennis is the son of the late Emory and Lucille Barlow Helman. He has two living brothers and three sisters-in-law, David L. and Violet Helman, of Sidney, Duane and Carolyn Helman, of Conover, and Kathy Helman, of Sidney. Two other brothers, Larry Helman and Daniel Helman, are deceased.
Karen is the daughter of the late Cloyd and Ivalyn Staley Hays. She has a sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Michael Oliver, of Moorpark, California.
The Helmans have a son, Mark Helman, of Sidney, and two daughters and sons-in-law, Denise and Michael Roby, of Westerville, and Susan and Bret Davis, of Lewis Center. They have five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Karen was a daycare provider and is a homemaker. Dennis retired Nov. 1, 2000, from Ross Aluminum as an estimator after 45 years of service. He operates DL Fur and Roots.
The couple attend Connection Point Church of God. Dennis enjoys collecting antique traps and minnow buckets and auto races at Eldora Speedway. Karen enjoys reading, television, computers and being with family. They both enjoy following the football games of Sidney High School and Ohio State University.
