Obituary Daniel Richard "Sickle" Hellwinkel

A funeral for Daniel Richard "Sickle" Hellwinkel, 76, a lifetime Minden resident, will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Gall Catholic Church.

A viewing will be from 9-10:15 a.m. Saturday at St. Gall.

Mr. Hellwinkel died March 17, 2002, in Minden, in the same home in which he was born. He was born Jan. 26, 1926, in Minden to Fred H . and Josephine Raycraft Hellwinkel.

He graduated from Douglas County High School and attended the University of Nevada, Reno.

Mr. Hellwinkel was a co-owner of the C.O.D. Garage Company, the oldest, continually owned family, franchised auto dealership in Nevada. His father became owner in 1919. At his death in 1964, he and his brother Don became co-owners.

He enjoyed hunting and helping others and was widely known as an expert auto mechanic. As the operator of the C.O.D. Garage and AAA towing service, many long days and late nights were spent assisting stranded motorists.

He was a volunteer fireman with Douglas Engine Company, Douglas County: fireman from 1946-55, assistant chief from 1955-76 and chief from 1976-91. He was awarded a 50-year plaque as a volunteer fireman by Gov. Bob Miller. He donated many hours keeping the fire engines in working order for the engine company. He was an honorary member of the Gardnerville Gun Club and a lifetime member of the Reno BP Of Elks Lodge 597 and the Carson Valley Historical Society. He was elected to the Minden Gardnerville Sanitation District in 1964 and served as chairman of the board from 1968 until the present.

He served in the U.S. Navy, receiving an honorable discharge in 1946 as electronic technician's mate third class.

Among his survivors are his brother Don of Minden; sister-in-law Marlena of Minden; niece and husband Donna and Darrell Armuth of Reno and their children Spencer, Lena and Grace Armuth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carson Valley Historical Society, 1477 Highway 395 North, Gardnerville 89410.

Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.