Michael Helmke

February 23, 1942 - June 2, 2020

He moved to Temperance with his family in 1951. After graduating from Bedford High School, Michael attended the University of Michigan. He then joined the Army serving at the Army Field Hospital in Vicenza, Italy. Upon discharge, he returned to his studies at The University of Michigan. Michael will be remembered for his intelligence, beautiful poetry and kind heart.

Michael is survived by his sister, Mary (Charles) Zeigler; brother, Thomas (Carla) Helmke; nephew, Derek Helmke; nieces, Julie (Karl) Martinez and Jessica (Brian) Francony as well as several great nieces and nephews and many caring friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A private funeral will be held at the Bedford Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Memorial contributions may be made to Bedford Township Veterans.

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Michael Helmke, 78 years, of Temperance, MI passed away on June 2, 2020 following a long battle with cancer. The son of Harold and Barbara Louise (Miller) Helmke, he was born in Napoleon, OH on February 23, 1942. He moved to Temperance with his family in 1951. After graduating from Bedford High School, Michael attended the UniversityContinue Reading

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Mike was a great combination of student and athlete. At Bedford, Mike was our Salutatorian. Everyone knew he was the smartest kid in school but he missed Valedictorian on a technicality and Mike was too gentlemanly to protest. Now, years later, who remembers what he said? Not I. Mike was a good friend. I always thought he was way too smart to be going to Bedford but private academic schools didn't exist for us. He went on to the University of Michigan but quit in his freshman year to join the Army. Perhaps he had expected more of the U of M than it delivered to incoming freshmen. Perhaps he realized he'd been cheated of a first-class high school education when he came up against much better-prepared students. I don't know and couldn't ask because I wasn't able to get his address. Then someone told me he had died. I stopped looking. I wish I had persisted because Mike was a good friend to me and to many others at Bedford.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.