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Charles Milton Helms
Charles Milton Helms
Iowa City
Dr. Charles Milton Helms, a retired professor of Medicine at The University of Iowa, died December 26, 2025, in Iowa City at 83 years of age. He was a physician and nationally recognized infectious diseases specialist and vaccination policy expert.
Dr. Helms is survived by retired UI Professor Lelia Biggs Helms, his beloved wife and constant partner of 59 years, and their three children: son Wesley Sands Helms, and his wife Connie with sons Colin and Cameron; daughter Bethany Helms Lewis, and her husband Benjamin with daughters Adelaide and Juniper and son Timothy Hopkins Helms, and his wife Debbie with sons Warren and Edward. He is also survived by his only sibling, Donald Cooke Helms, and his wife Jane.
Dr. Helms was preceded by daughter Emily Spaulding Helms, who died at age 11; father, James Thoburn Helms, and mother, Alice Frances Cooke Helms.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 3pm at First United Methodist Church, 215 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for streets near the church). A time of visitation will proceed this beginning at 1pm until service time. All who knew, Dr. Helms are encouraged by the family to attend. Dr. Helms requested cremation and a graveside service for family at Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City.
A strong supporter of Goodwill Industries of the Heartland and Goodwill Industries International, Inc., Charles was the grandson of Edgar James Helms, a Methodist Minister raised in Iowa who founded the Goodwill Industries movement in Boston, Massachusetts in 1902. The Helms family requests that in lieu of flowers or other gifts, friends consider donating to Goodwill Industries of the Heartland (1410 South First Ave., Iowa City, IA 52240) or Goodwill Industries International, Inc. (15810 Indiana Drive, Rockville, MD 208550 to continue the 100+ year old Goodwill mission to help people with disabilities to help themselves. For a more complete obituary, to share a condolence or memory please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com
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