EDWARD LEO HELFEN "CANDY MAN" GRIFFITH, IN Edward Leo Helfen, age 74 of Griffith, passed away Thursday July 26, 2012. He is survived by his son, Joe (Karen) Helfen of Norfolk, VA; grandchildren: Matthew (Victoria) Helfen, Tiffany (Lorenzo) Alverez, Joshua Helfen, Tabitha Helfen, Jenny Helfen, and Jacob Helfen.; great grandchildren: Harley and Alex Helfen, Grace, Gabriel, and Luis Alvarez, Isaac Thomas; brother, Roy (Wilma) Helfen of Stone Mountain, GA; sister, Helen (Sam) Kerr of Hammond; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents: Mathias and Mildred; and sons: Edward "Duke" Helfen and Mike Helfen. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 30, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church located at 525 N. Broad Street, Griffith, IN with Fr. Theodore Mens celebrating. Cremation will follow services. Friends may meet with the family Sunday July 29, from 3:00- 8:00 p.m. at White Funeral Home located at 921 W. 45th Avenue, Griffith. A wake service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Ed was in the National Guard serving from 1955 to 1961. He was a member of the ABATE Club, AMVETS, and the American Legion Post 66, AVMA (American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association Chapter 1), VFW Posts 9982 and 2009, VFW Post #1563 (Motorcycle Riders Association), Griffith Lions Club, Loyal Order of Moose , Griffith Izaak Walton League of America, and Patriot Guard Riders. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of the Calumet Area. For more information please call White Funeral Home at 219-922-4100.