Family of young Kinistino man killed strengthened by community and faith

The death of a young man has shown a family how supportive their small town can be.

On Nov. 3, RCMP from Melfort were called two kilometres south of Kinistino where they found there had been an explosion. Micah Helm, 19, died as a result of the accident. Contrary to earlier reports from RCMP, Micah’s death wasn’t due to a workplace incident. He had been cutting with a torch in the yard when the accident occurred.

Micah lived with his parents, Dale and Ruth, on an acreage near Kinistino his entire life. His brother Seth Helm worked with Micah and his father selling steel and tires. In his down time, Micah would spend time with friends and family.

“He was very easy going, and friendly, he had a lot of friends,” Helm said. “They did a lot of stuff with their cars, they enjoyed skateboarding. They had BMX bikes and stuff, and (liked) snowboarding.”

“He enjoyed working out in the shop, and building stuff and things like that.”

Helm, who has three children, said his brother Micah cared a lot about his family.  

“He was always really good with our kids,” said Helm. “He just really loved the kids”

“He had a really quiet nature and a quiet attitude.”

Helm also said his brother had a strong faith in God.

“That’s something that’s really important to us and it really stood out,” said Helm. “Even though he was young, he was only 19, we know he’s in heaven and because of that, we’ll see him again one day.”

“That’s something that’s been comforting to us and has been able to kind of get us through this tough time.”

There will be a graveside service for Micah on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Kinistino Cemetery. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the Weldon Christian Tabernacle. So far, Helm said his family has been coping well, including his mother.

“It’s actually amazing how good she’s doing,” Helm said. “We’ve just had so much support. So many people have been stopping by and dropping off food and phoning us and texting us.”

“It’s really great to see that people care and you don’t realize how much it means until it’s something that affects you.”

Helm said everything the community has done in support, has brightened each day for them.

“It just means so much, and makes us feel really loved and we’re really thankful for it.”