Leora Helmke

Jewell - Leora Mae Helmke, 98, of Jewell, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Wauseon, Ohio. She was born on November 2, 1926, in Holgate, Ohio, to the late Elmer and Lorena (Zachrich) Baker. On February 1, 1947, Leora married Frederick H. Helmke at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in New Bavaria. He preceded her in death on March 26, 2018.

Leora devoted her life to her family and faith. A lifelong homemaker, she was a dedicated member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Florida, Ohio, where she participated in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) and served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was also a proud member of the Jewell American Legion Post #635 Auxiliary and the River City Red Hatters, and she volunteered regularly at Defiance Regional Medical Center. Leora gave generously of her time as a 4-H advisor, guiding and encouraging youth in her community.

She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn (Thomas) Meek, Lois Schaffer, and Connie Aeschliman; eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, David Aeschliman; brothers, Arthur, Arnold, Lester, and Robert Baker; and sister, Erma Schliesser.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Florida, Ohio, where visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home is honored to assist in handling the services.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.rodenbergergray.com