Founded in 1962, Helm Instrument Company is the leading designer and manufacturer of process control systems, force transducers and software for the metalforming industries. Helm introduced press load monitoring and signature analysis in 1968, and in-die force sensing in 1972 while holding numerous patents on sensor designs, instrumentation, and applications. From our strategic location in the industrial Midwest, we supply and support our customers with a complete staff of representatives worldwide.

WILHELM Donald On December 7, 2006, Don Wilhelm, our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, left to join his heavenly Father. Don was born in Toledo on October 22, 1923, to Fred and Marie Wilhelm. Don grew up on Utah Street in East Toledo and graduated from Good Shepherd grade school and Central Catholic High School, class of 1941. Don excelled at baseball and was the first chair violinist in the Central Catholic orchestra. Don attended the University of Toledo College of Engineering and joined Owens-Illinois in 1943. Don was an instrument engineer with Owens-Illinois in various technical and management positions for 27 years. Don was a brilliant engineer and was awarded many patents during his career with Owens-Illinois.

His biggest success, however, was courting and eventually marrying Nancy Joyce Layden, his Central Catholic High School sweetheart in 1945. During their 61 year marriage, Don and Nancy were blessed with 8 children, 28 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Don was the consummate entrepreneur and throughout his life founded and operated business enterprises that were well ahead of their time. During the depression, Don sold Liberty magazines door to door and both contributed to his family and developed the marketing and sales skills that would assist him throughout his life. In the 1950's, Don's talents as an electrical engineer lead him to found Don's Telerental and pioneer rental televisions in hospitals in Toledo. Don's Telerental also installed master antenna systems in several large apartment complexes in Toledo, which were the forerunner of today's cable TV systems.

In 1962, Don founded Helm Instrument Company, Maumee OH, in the basement of his home. Helm was started initially to manufacture a patented temperature controller that Don invented. In 1969, at the age of 46 and with six children still at home, Don retired from a successful and secure career at Owens-Illinois to devote his full time and energies to Helm. Helm was the innovator of force load monitoring for manufacturing processes, and continues to be the leader in that industry. Don's talent, innovation and integrity created a company that now is managed and lead by his children, grandchildren and many long time, dedicated employees. Helm currently does business on six continents and is recognized globally as the leader in the industry that Don single-handedly created. Don was a lifetime member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and was active in the Fabricating Manufacturing Association, IEEE and Instrument Society of America. Don served as chairman and as a frequent speaker for the Precision Metalforming Association. Don was awarded the Central Catholic Golden Shamrock award in 1992 as an outstanding alumnus for his many achievements.

Don loved to travel and he and Nancy traveled the world together, including Ireland, England, Germany, Italy, Yugoslavia and Japan. Don was an avid bowler and golfer and was a member of Brandywine Country Club for many years. One of his most proud moments was scoring a hole-in-one in 1999, at the age of 76. For all of Don's technical brilliance and entrepreneurial talents, the most important thing in his life was his family. He was devoted to Nancy and was the patriarch of his family. He instilled in his family the values of love, faith, education, hard work and contribution to society. Don was an inspiration to his family and friends and was loved and admired by all. He will be greatly missed. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Marie. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his children, Donald Jr., Mary Lynn (Ron) Tice, Rick (Mary Alice), Liz (Dennis) Tracy, Mike (Peggy), Joyce (Ned) Phillips, Tom (Stacy), and Teresa (Bob) Andrzejewski; 28 grandchildren and 9 great-grand-children. Also surviving are his loving nieces and nephew, Karen (Martin) Bokesch, Cheryl (Tom) Wood and Jim Collier.

"There is no one like a father... To care so deeply, give so quietly, listen so openly, teach so gently... ....to love so much"