Pershing Helgevold

Pershing Helgevold, 95, formerly of Holmes, passed away at his home in Springfield, Massachusetts on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

Graveside services for Pershing Helgevold will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Holmes Lutheran Church Cemetery with Pastor Rich Taylor officiating. 

Pershing Helgevold, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother passed away at his home in Springfield on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in the care of his family at the age of 95.

Born on March 16, 1918 in Holmes, Iowa, a loving son of the late Ole and Rose (Richardson) Helgevold, he was a longtime resident of Springfield. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in Eagle Grove, Iowa, and in 1937 he graduated from Coyne College in Chicago, IL, as a Licensed Electrician.

Pershing served his country honorably, as a PFC, in the U.S.  Army Air Corps. during WW II. He served with the 3502d AAF Base Unit Squadron A, in North Africa, Sardinia and Italy. Also during the war, he came to Bradley Field and met the love of his life, Cora (Pooler) who he has been married to for the past 70 years.

Pershing was employed as an Electrician at Western Mass Electric Company, for 34 years, retiring as Control Supervisor.  He was a very smart and talented Electrician with a great ability to solve problems. While at WMECO, he supervised all tear downs.

Along with his wife Cora, he was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Springfield.

Besides his loving wife Cora Helgevold of Springfield, he is survived by his 4 loving children, David P. of Manhattan Beach, CA, Diane L. Helgevold of Albuquerque, NM, Roy R. of Foster City, CA, and Betty L. Laliberte and her husband, AL, a loving and caring son in law who was seen more as a son, of Feeding Hills, MA; 6 cherished grandchildren, Steve Wood of Albuquerque, NM, Jon Wood of Denver, CO, Kristen and Emily Laliberte both of Feeding Hills, and Kristy and Kaity Helgevold both of Foster City, CA, and 1 great grandson, Jace Drake Wood, of Denver, CO; and 2 nieces and 2 nephews.

Pershing was also predeceased by his 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Pershing’s name may be made to

American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.