Kenneth W. Helberg

HELBERG, Kenneth Wayne, age 74, died on Monday, May 14, 2012. Kenneth (Ken) was born on July 8, 1937 in Keystone, Iowa , and was the youngest child of Frederick H. and Alma W. Helberg. Ken graduated from Victor High School in 1955 and went on to earn bachelors and masters degrees in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University and The Ohio State University, respectively. Ken married Carol Elaine Kuester on July 30, 1960 in Chicago , Illinois , and they settled in Dayton , Ohio where Ken was employed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). Ken served at SHAPE Technical Center in The Hague , Netherlands from 1972-1975, and returned to WPAFB until he retired in 1997. Ken was a longtime member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church where he served as an elder, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and Stephen’s minister. He was a member of the Gideons and Old Crows Club. Ken loved to travel and to watch his grandchildren participate in various sports. Ken is survived by his loving wife of fifty-one years, Carol; son, Kirk Helberg (Lisa); daughters Katrina Helberg, Erica Bredle (Yuri), and Amanda White (David); eight grandchildren, Ethan, Andrew, Jillian, Jacob, Natasha, Julia, Selah, and David; and sisters Anita Sandersfeld and Grace Lucht. Ken is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Walter Helberg; and sisters Alice Massey, Lois Weibold, and Audrey Daniels. Visitation at Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Avenue , on Thursday, May 17, 5:30-7:30. Funeral at Emmanuel Lutheran Church , 4865 Wilmington Pike, Friday, May 18, 10:00. Burial at Miami Valley Memory Gardens to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church Benevolence Fund. On line condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com