Helmut Herzke, 62, Systems Repairman

He was born May 8, 1942 in Franfurt/Oder, Germany. He came to America on January 17, 1951 and lived in Lorain until 1953 when he moved to Amherst where he graduated from Marion L. Steele High School with the class of 1960. He has been a resident of Vermilion since 2001.

He served in the US Air Force from 1960 to 1968. Helmut worked as an industrial electrician with the German Economy from 1971 to 1974. He was employed by the US Steel, Lorain Pipe Mills for twenty-nine years retiring in 2003 as a systems repairman. He served as music director for two years at Lake Garden Baptist Church and sang in the church’s quartet in San Antonio, Texas. While in high school, he was involved with the music programs at Marion L. Steele High School and active with the band as a student music conductor. He was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Vermilion. Helmut enjoyed bowling, fishing, electronics, computers and creating and developing websites.

Survivors include his wife of twenty-three years, Judith F. Herzke (nee: Elbon); his sons James Young of Floresville, Texas, Michael W. Herzke of Ft. Hood, Texas, Walter E. Herzke of Kalengers, Germany, William E. Bealer of Sheffield Lake, Brian J. Bealer of Amherst, and Robert A. Bealer of Vermilion, ten grandchildren; and his brother Rudolf Herzke of Memphis, Tennesse.

He was preceded in death by his parents Daniel W. and Emma Herzke (nee: Deutschlander).

Friends may call Tuesday, December 28, 2004, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst. Funeral services with the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard will be held Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. from the funeral home. The Rev. Jay Roller, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Lorain will officiate.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst, Ohio 44001.