Justin Edward Helsel, 24

Justin Edward Helsel, 24, of Lancaster died early Sunday, October 15, 2006 from injuries sustained in a car accident in Clinton County.  Justin died as he lived – helping others.

He was traveling after a full night of work to help a friend repair some storm damage and apparently fell asleep while driving.  Authorities said he died instantly after his truck collided head-on with a tour bus.

The main focus of Justin’s life for the past 27 months was his daughter, Kailey Marie Helsel, to whom he was a loving and devoted father.  She and Justin had been living with his father for more than a year while Justin completed his studies and worked long hours in support of his dream to buy a house for himself and his daughter.  In his memory, the family has established a Trust to support her ongoing needs. Donations can be made payable to “The Justin Edward Helsel Memorial Trust” and mailed to Sterling Financial Trust Company, 101 North Pointe Blvd., Lancaster, PA 17601, attention Mr. Christopher Kull, Senior Vice-President.

He had just become a Licensed Practical Nurse, after completing his studies at The Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, where he graduated with honors, and was pursuing employment opportunities in that field.  Justin was also a popular employee and colleague at the Conestoga Country Club, where he had worked as a bartender for more than two years, where his winning smile and warm humor were a welcome fixture.

He was a 2001 graduate of Lampeter Strasburg High School, where he is remembered as a standout football player.  He started every game during his final three years and starred in the 2000 War of the Roses All-Star football game between Lancaster and York Counties.  He was also named to the Lancaster Newspapers Readers’ Choice 1999 All-Star High School Football Team as an offensive guard and defensive tackle.  His other lifelong passions were hunting and fishing, and he was a fourth generation owner of the Suits Us hunting camp in Clinton County.

Born in Lancaster, Justin was the son of Don L. Helsel Jr. of Shadowstone Drive, Lancaster and Doris Elaine Leury Helsel of Willow Street.  Aside from his devotion to daughter Kailey, Justin will be most remembered for his deep love and strong, lifelong commitment to his mother.  He was also a close friend to his father, who was his hunting and fishing partner and who took great pride in all of Justin’s athletic and academic accomplishments.

Surviving besides his parents and his beloved daughter Kailey are his two sisters, Ashley Gale Helsel and Vanessa Rene Helsel, both of Lancaster, and Kailey’s mother, Theresa Marie Gleeson of Lancaster.  He was also survived by maternal aunts Jan, wife of J Robert James, JoEllen Shoemaker, Jean, wife of Tony Brown, Denise Cipolloni and Paula, wife of Rick Estep, paternal aunt Jerri Anne Johnson and many loving cousins.  Justin was step-son to Christine A. Helsel and step-brother to Jared M. Byrnes and Jordan R. Byrnes, all of Lancaster.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Shirley A. and Edward J. Leury and paternal grandparents Irene M. and Don L. Helsel, Sr.

Funeral services will be held at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz on Saturday, October 28 at 5:00 p.m.  A calling time will be held at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until the commencement of the service. Justin will be buried by his father, mother and sisters on Tuesday.