Helitzer, a longtime Athens resident and former professor of journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, died Saturday, April 11, at the Cleveland Clinic. He was 84.

Helitzer, who joined the faculty at Ohio University in 1979 and was named a University Professor in 1982, was well-known for his popular humor writing class. The class, one of the nation's first university courses on the subject, was featured in Newsweek and The New York Times.

His other areas of interest included sports media, advertising, public relations and feature writing.

Those wishing to contribute to the fund may send donations to the Mel Helitzer Memorial Fund, Ohio University Foundation, P. O. Box 869, Athens, Ohio 45701.

A private funeral services will be held in New York; however, a celebration of Helitzer's life is being planned in Athens at a date to be determined.

-- From staff reports