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Frederick Helmke Obituary
Fred graduated from Jewell High School and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon. He worked in metal fabrication, but his true love was farming. Fred received the State of Ohio Young Farmer Award and was a 4h Advisor in both Henry and Defiance Counties. In his early days he served on the Jewel Fire Department. Fred enjoyed working on antique tractors and engines in his spare time. He was a member of the Florida Fly Wheelers and the AMVETS, having served his country in the US Army.
Fred is survived by his wife Carol; sons, Dennis (Kathy), Mike (Leanne) and Scott (Stephanie) Helmke; grandchildren, Megan (Brad) Rice, Tyson Helmke, Camden Short, Landon Helmke, McKalynne (Andrew Lyle) Helmke, Abby (Blake) Gehret and Austin Helmke; great grandchild, Emmersyn Rice; and brothers, Kenneth (Glenna), Walt (Linda) and Martin (Nancy) Helmke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lou; and sister, Margaret Vogel.
Friends and family will be received at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1075 Glenwood Avenue, Napoleon, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 1 p.m. until the time of services at 2 p.m. The funeral services will be livestreamed from the church website www.stpaulnapoleon.org
Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com. Arrangements entrusted to Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frederick Helmke
Sponsored by Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home - Napoleon.
1 Entry
Keith Johnson
January 2, 2026
He had such a wonderful way with the antique tractors and engines. I recently purchased one but never got the opportunity to share it with him.
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Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home - Napoleon1010 Westmoreland Avenue, Napoleon, OH 43545
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