Frank J. Hellman

            Frank Joseph “Pops” Hellman   passed away on December 14, 2023, at home surrounded by his family at the age of 92.

            He was born to John Hellman and Amelia Drescher on November 8, 1931, in Mott North Dakota. Frank was the youngest of 8 siblings and at the age of 13 his family moved to Kelso, Washington where he graduated from Kelso High School in 1949.

            In 1950 Frank enlisted in the United States Navy. He graduated from bootcamp, submariner school,  served on the USS Chopper, and he also served in the Korean War. One of his Naval highlights was being present when the USS Nautilus was launched. After being honorably discharged, he came to Rawlins where he met the love of his life Patsy Marquez. They were later married on September 12, 1956. Frank hired on with Union Pacific Railroad, where he decided he preferred to be an entrepreneur on 4^th Street where he entered his world of the bar business. His first bar was named the Tiny Bar then he acquired the Antlers Bar, and then in 1969 he bought and built the legacy of the Rifleman Club Bar. He and Patsy provided holiday meals for any and all, he was very generous in his support of our community and the people who lived in it. He celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Rifleman in 2019, at which time he sold the business to his son and daughter in law, Michael and Candy Hellman.

            In high school he excelled in FFA where he won numerous awards. His hobbies included hunting, guiding, fishing, camping, getting stuck, cribbage, playing pool with his beloved coffee club members, league pool with the “Relics”, negotiating, and enjoyed spending and sharing his time at his Seminoe mountain cabin. He also enjoyed his home cooked meals and sweets surrounded by his family and friends.

            He is survived by his daughter Shirley (Steve) Merritt from Noank, CT; sons, Michael P Hellman, Alexandria, VA, and Michael J (Candy) Hellman Rawlins WY; his grandchildren, Star Ray, Joy Ray, Thomas Ray, Peter Ray, Steve Ray, Sarah Krivoruchka, Reggilee Conley- Hellman, Xabi Hellman, Kevin Finch and Kimberly Finch his great grandchildren Isaiah, Tatianna, Evan, Elyse, Elijah, Lucas, Leah, Landon and Isla Rose; his great-great grandchildren, Hudson and Grayson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

            He is preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Ruth; his parents John and Amelia; brothers, Mike, Jerome and Pete; sisters, Mary, Megs, Minnie, and Betty; daughter Anna Marie (Mimi); son Tony Hellman; granddaughter Bright Sky and great grandson Tahwoncha.

            Frank will be missed by all and will be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, stubbornness, beautiful hair, and gorgeous blue eyes. We all love you “Pops”, it is now your turn to rest.

            A Vigil service will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 7:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Mass of Chirstian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church followed by interment at the Rawlins Cemetery.

            Arrangements have been entrusted to Casada Funeral Home & Crematory in Rawlins, Wyoming.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed at the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/434774284