Douglas Helmling

1971 - 2025

Douglas C. Helmling, age 54, of Clare, Michigan, passed away suddenly on Friday, February 28, 2025, at his home in Clare. Douglas was born the son of John L. and Marjorie M. (Hartman) Helmling on February 18, 1971, in Livonia and grew up in the Brighton area. He was united in marriage with Lorissa Kavanaugh on July 4, 1998. Douglas lived the past 26 years in Clare, having moved from Mt. Pleasant, where he graduated from Central Michigan University. He was a career educator, most recently teaching English at Evart High School after many years at Gladwin Junior High School. Douglas was instrumental in starting the Clare High School soccer program, which began in 2000 as a club sport before transitioning into a varsity-level sport in 2002. He coached the school's first boys' teams and then later also coached the girls' teams in their early years; he retired from coaching in 2019. He remained involved with soccer as a referee. Douglas was a member of the Clare Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and was involved with the Emerald Isle Project. He was also on the Brookwood 2.0 Project Committee and helped with the building of the Brookwood Playscape. In his spare time, he enjoyed comics, watching sports and games of all sorts.

Douglas is survived by his wife, Lorissa, and their sons John and Charles, both of Clare; brothers Greg (Pauline) of Bay City, Brian of South Lyon and Keith of Brighton; as well as two nieces and four nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home from 3 to 6 p.m. Graveside Prayers will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the St. Cecilia Catholic Cemetery at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Francis Koper officiating. Memorial contributions are suggested to Eliy's Sunflowers or Clare County Community Foundation (CCCF) for the Emerald Isle Project. Online condolences may be left at www.stephenson-wyman.com.