Richard R. Lunt
DAVIDSON – Richard Royal Lunt, 67, of Davidson, died Sept. 17, 2011, at his home from complications following treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Born Sept. 18, 1944, in Richland, Wash., Mr. Lunt was the son of the late Richard Royal Lunt Sr. and Grace Mays Lunt.
He grew up in Bellefonte, Del., outside Wilmington and was an Eagle Scout. He earned a chemical engineering degree from Colgate University and a doctorate in chemical engineering from Columbia University, where he was also an instructor. He was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
He worked for United Engineering and Constructors in Philadelphia. He lived in the Boston area 24 years, and worked for Arthur D. Little of Cambridge, Mass. He later served as president of Strategic Solutions chemical engineering consulting firm. He held four patents and wrote numerous professional articles and books about environmental pollution prevention technologies.
His wife of more than 40 years, Christine J. Lunt, formerly of Wilmington, Del., preceded him in death.
Survivors include daughters Tracy T. Lunt, Columbus, Ohio, and Catherine M. Lunt German, Framingham, Mass.; son, Richard Royal Lunt III, East Lansing, Mich.; sister, Edith Lunt Baker, Conyers, Ga.; and three grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Saturday, Sept. 24, at St. Joseph’s on-the-Brandywine Church, Greenville, Del. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, Huntersville, was in charge locally.
Memorials: American Cancer Society.


Gilmer E. Helms
CORNELIUS – Gilmer E. Helms, 70, of Cornelius, died Sept. 19, 2011, at his home.
Born Jan. 4, 1941, in Mecklenburg County, Mr. Helms was a son of the late Ernest and Velma Helms.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Helms; sons Jerry Helms, Cornelius, and Danny Helms and wife, Judith, Davidson; daughter, Virginia Beam, Cornelius; siblings Madline Templeton, Liz Smith and Ernest and Benny Helms; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Mt. Zion Community Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Jill Smith. Samuel S. James, Funeral Service Licensee, of Huntersville, was in charge.
Memorials: Hospice of Lake Norman, 705 Griffith St., suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036.
Mary Alease Helms Hill Broome
HUNTERSVILLE – Mary Alease Helms Hill Broome, 98, of Huntersville Oaks, died Sept. 21, 2011.
Born Jan. 22, 1913, in Monroe, Mrs. Broome was a daughter of the late J. Walter and Mary Helms Helms.
Husbands Brice Clayton Hill and Ned W. Broome and brothers Heath and Dempster Helms preceded her in death.
Survivors include son, Charles D. Hill, and wife, Gail, Huntersville; sister, Edith Harkey, Palatka, Fla.; brothers Edwin and Sib Helms, both of Monroe; grandchildren Karen Hampton, Michael Hill and Kathy H. Ginn; and four great-grandchildren.
She earned a degree in music from Wingate College, taught music to children and was pianist for three churches in Monroe for 30 years. She was president and co-owner of Broome Bros. Trailer Service in Charlotte.
A graveside service was held Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at Suncrest Cemetery, Monroe. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home was in charge.


Wilbur ‘Cookie’ Blanchard
CONCORD – Wilbur J. “Cookie” Blanchard, 73, of Concord, formerly of Edison, N.J. , died Sept. 20, 2011, at his home.
Born Sept. 8, 1938, in Perth Amboy, N.J., Mr. Blanchard lived in the Edison, N.J. area most of his life. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, he joined Pepperidge Farms Bakeries in sales and supervisory positions. He then became an independent franchise owner, building and selling several distributor franchises. He retired in 2001 after 39 years with Pepperidge Farms.
A funeral Mass was held Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, with burial at Northlake Memorial Gardens, Huntersville. Samuel S. James, Funeral Service Licensee, Huntersville, was in charge.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Marie Ogello Blanchard; daughter, Gabrielle Carneglia, and husband, Michael, Concord; son, Christopher Blanchard, and wife, Michelle, Edison, N.J.; brother, Thomas Blanchard; and seven grandchildren.
Memorials: Hospice of Charlotte, 1420 E 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204.


Donald C. Congleton
DAVIDSON – Donald Clayton Congleton, of Davidson, formerly of Huntington, W.Va., died Sept. 20, 2011, at his home.
Born Nov. 8, 1948, in Huntington, Mr. Congleton was a son of the late Nelton and Ella Congleton.
Survivors include his sister, Barbara J. Sheffield, Davidson, and brother, William C. Congleton, Huntington, W.Va.
A funeral Mass was held Monday, Sept. 26, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Huntersville, conducted by the Rev. David Miller. Samuel S. James, Funeral Service Licensee, Huntersville, was in charge.
Memorials: St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 828 15th St., Huntington, WV 25701.