Peter Heltemes

Peter Jon Heltemes, 50, of Walkersville, died Monday, June 22, 2015 at George Washington University Hospital of a serious infection. He was the beloved son of Kay Heltemes of Walkersville and the late Clemens J. Heltemes.

Born August 21, 1964 in Bethesda, Peter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

In 1971, Peter served as the National Easter Seal Child, an organization that assists people with developmental disabilities. In this role, he traveled throughout the United States encountering people of all walks of life. He met many celebrities, was featured in a McDonald's commercial, and met with President Richard Nixon at the White House.

At 14 years old, Peter led a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal. He was selected as the first Suffering Cadet to represent people with afflictions.

Peter graduated from Walkersville High School in 1982, where he was one of the first children with a disability to attend public schools. Upon receiving a standing ovation at his high school graduation, Peter furthered his education receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Penn State in 1986. While a student at Penn State, Peter navigated the campus in his power wheel chair. He worked to improve handicap accessibility for all on the college campus. He received multiple awards for his academic performance.

Following graduation, he was one of three recipients selected to attend an IBM internship in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he continued his journey of self-sufficiency. He was an accountant with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), traveling by wheelchair daily to Washington, DC on the Metro system while earning recognition for commitment to his job and outstanding service.

Peter was honored with the "Disabled Marylander of the Year" Award and represented the State of Maryland at a Kennedy Center reception hosted by First Lady Barbara Bush.

Peter enjoyed dining at restaurants, going to the movies, celebrating family milestones and traveling with family to fun vacation destinations. He approached every day as an adventure. His self-reliance, spirit, determination, contagious smile and witty sense of humor will be forever remembered. Peter's mother was dedicated to his well-being and was a driving force to main streaming disabled children into the public school system. His mother shares the following: "Peter, we remember you with love and gratitude, your infectious smile, your incredible determination, your outstanding achievements, your love and dedication, your spiritual endeavors, your unconditional love, your generousity...You will be missed."

Peter was a devout member of St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Walkersville. Peter's family would like to thank Msgr. Murphy for his incredible devotion to Peter; and to Peter's faithful personal caregiver, Beau Bailey, and to his evening caregiver, Ryan Sullivan.

In addition to his beloved and dedicated mother, Peter is survived by his proud siblings, David Heltemes (Mariam) of Bethesda, Holly Ramsburg (Ray) of Ijamsville, and Kevin Heltemes (Vivian) of Fredericksburg; nine adoring nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2015 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, where a Rosary service will begin at 8 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27th at St. Timothy's Catholic Church, 8651 Biggs Ford Road, Walkersville, with Msgr. Murphy officiating. There will be visitation at the church from 10 to 11.

Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

Those desiring may make a memorial contribution to National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, Attn: Cindy Kokoski, 16330 Grotto Road, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Please note on the memo line, Peter Heltemes Memorial.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.