George Helmke

George Helmke, age 88 passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Embracing Hospice in Snellville. He was born on March 25, 1921 to Berta and Friedrich Helmke in Marschkamp, Germany. He married Gerda Blaffer in 1948, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1955 where they settled in Bellmore, New York. In 1996 they moved to Lawrenceville from Decatur, NY. George was trained as a shoemaker in Germany, worked in construction, and as a foreman making prototypes in a lamp factory. After his retirement he began working with a scroll saw and loved making beautiful items out of wood. Mr. Helmke was a man of deep faith who saw God's grace and providence revealed in every aspect of life. He was a member of Gracepointe Nazarene Church. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gerda; his parents, Berta and Friedrich Helmke; and two sisters, Meta Schulz and Else Scholz. He is survived by his children, Karin and John Nurnberger of Millville, NJ; Marleen and Holger Schulz of Lawrenceville, GA; Jerry and Kathleen Helmke of Madison, NY; Barbara and Douglas Payne of Lilburn, GA; Linda and Guy Dilauro of Patchoque, NY and Kathryn and William Smith of South Hamilton, MA; as well as eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren; his sisters Gretchen Schulz and Berta Zimmermann both of Germany. All who knew and loved him will miss him sorely.