Helen Frances Hemker

HEMKER, Helen Frances, age 89 of Kettering, peacefully went to be with her Lord Friday evening, July 29, 2011, while family surrounded her in prayer at The Hospice of Dayton. Helen was born on July 8, 1922 in Russell County VA, the daughter of Asa and Esther (Audet) Strouth. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Eleanor, Catherine O’Connor, Anna Wrasman, and Edith Sebesta, her brothers, Wilfred and Joseph. She graduated from high school in Cleveland VA, then moved to Dayton, and received training for comptometer certification. After working for several businesses, including Wright Field Air Force Base, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corp Women’s Reserve in 1943. Upon completion of her service in 1945, she attended Mary Washington College in Virginia. Returning to Dayton, she met her husband, George, to whom she was married for nearly 64 years and raised a family of seven children. She is survived by her husband, children: Gregory (Crystal) Hemker of Clayton; Jeffrey (Karen) Hemker of Bolingbrook IL; Wil (Marilyn) Hemker of Akron; Kathleen (David) Husek of London OH; Timothy (Laura) Hemker of Biltmore Lake NC; Julia Hemker Porter of Amelia, and John (Christine) Hemker of Beavercreek. She leaves behind her beloved 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Her finest trait was making all family her priority. She held supportive roles in the community serving Boy Scouts of America and serving her church in the ministry of children’s religious education. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME - FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Ave., Dayton OH 45429 and from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011 at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 3033 Far Hills Ave., Kettering OH 45429, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m. Her cousin Father Wilfred Steinbacher of Madison, Tennessee will officiate. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton OH 45420. Condolences may be made at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com