M. Virginia "Jinnie" Helm

M. Virginia “Jinnie” Helm, 92, went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Christian Village at Mason.  Jinnie was born on February 24, 1930 in Milford, Ohio to Andrew E. Conover and Geneva (McGrue) Conover.  She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Marjory Wiggins and Jeannette Caudill, and her beloved husband of 62 years, Ken Helm.  She is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Fred) Gossman; son Mike (Heidi) Helm; step-grandchildren Matt (Nikki) Gossman and Jill (Ryan) Duebber; step-great-grandchildren Josh, Sadie and Eden Duebber; nieces and nephews.

Jinnie was graduated from Milford High School in 1948.  She and Ken were married on March 29, 1952.  Jinnie had never been out of small-town Ohio, until Ken’s career with General Electric sent them traveling!  After two years in Milford, Jinnie became an expert at moving and establishing households in other cultures, in the Philippines; Waynesboro, Virginia; Sydney, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; Jacksonville, Florida; Miami, Florida; and finally West Chester and Mason, Ohio.  Jinnie and Ken became members of Mason Church of Christ (now Christ's Church at Mason) from 1969 until moving to Florida in 2014.

Jinnie was a lifelong musician:  a soprano soloist, member of many choirs and ensembles, pianist and organist for church services, weddings and accompanist for children’s and adult choirs. She has served as a children's choir director, Sunday school teacher, women's fellowship leader, Bible study leader, and for a term as adult choir director at the Mason church.  Jinnie loved to cook and was at her best when making delicious meals as hostess to any number of family, friends and every visiting minister, missionary or musician. She was also an accomplished seamstress and loved to help others by altering or making clothes.

Ken & Jinnie dedicated their retirement years to short-term mission work, with trips to China, Mexico, Cambodia, Thailand and Zimbabwe.  In 1989 they began their “second career” as long-term workers at TCM’s Haus Edelweiss outside Vienna, Austria, serving 20 terms over a 22-year period.

Jinnie loved the Lord, using her beautiful soprano voice to sing praises to Him.  She loved her husband and family dearly, using her many homemaking gifts to care for them and others.  She loved serving other people, giving her time and energy in countless ways whenever she was needed.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at the Stone Worship Center at the Christian Village at Mason. Visitation 1:00 pm, service at 2:00 pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to the TCM International Ken & Jinnie Helm Scholarship Fund or the Christian Village at Mason benevolent fund.