MOHAWK – Fern L. (Wilson) Helmer, age 87, formerly of Mohawk, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital, New Hartford, NY, with her family by her side. She was born on December 21, 1935, in Mohawk, the daughter of William and Eva Irene (Myers) Wilson and attended Mohawk schools. On January 26, 1952, she was married to James “Jim” R. Helmer, in Mohawk. He died on August 1, 2016. She worked at Beechnut Nutritious Foods, in Canajohaire, NY, for 39 years, retiring in 1997. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Mohawk and Ilion-Frankfort VFW Post 502 Auxiliary. After her retirement, some of her biggest joys in life were playing Bingo and going to the Casino. Surviving family members include her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Michael Weller, of Ilion; her son, James R. Helmer, Jr., of Mohawk; her grandchildren, Jackie and Jim Kelly, Scott Helmer, Jamie and Kirk Hilts, Francis Helmer, Jr., Amber Helmer, Jean Helmer, Susan Helmer, Darren Helmer, Andrew Helmer, Teena Broadbent, Lionel Weller and Shawn Steinburg and Jim Burke; her great-grandchildren, Caroline Kelly, James Kelly, Alex Helmer, Victoria Helmer, Brynlee Helmer, Madeline Helmer, Hayden Hilts, Emalyn Hilts, Jenna Broadbent, Logan Walker, Devin Walker, Brett Hilts, Joey Helmer, Kyle and Michelle Benjamin and Michelle Benjamin; her great-great grandchildren, Olivea Gaines, Kyler, Trevor, Logan and Kinsley Benjamin; her brothers-in-law, Kenneth Helmer, Harold Moss and Dick Hadcock; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends. She was predeceased by her son, Francis D. Helmer; her parents; her sisters, Mildred Wilson, Shirley Bereza, Mary Myers, Bertha Eysaman and Elizabeth Hadcock; her brothers, William, Charles, Richard and Seymour Wilson; and her daughter-in-law, Karen Helmer. Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion, NY. A Funeral Service and Celebration of Fern’s Life will follow, at 1:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mohawk Cemetery, next to her husband, Jim. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Fern, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com The family wishes to thank St. Luke’s ICU doctors and nurses. A special thanks to Nicole, Toni and Andrea. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Herkimer County Humane Society, 514 State Rte 5S, Mohawk, NY 13407, or the Parkinson Foundation, 1359 Broadway Ste 1509, New York, NY 10018. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Fern’s service arrangements are entrusted to her Family Funeral Director and long time friend, Don Applegate.