Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

FARNSWORTH

Berkholtz

Fitzpatrick

Schmidke

Sunderland

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – January 25, 1999

Helen S. Farnsworth

Nov. 24, 1908 - Jan. 22, 1999

Mrs. Helen Schmidke Farnsworth, 90, of South Bend, Ind., passed away on Friday morning, Jan. 22, in her home.

She was born on Nov. 24, 1908, in St. Joseph, Mich., to Fredrick and Lydia (Berkholtz) Schmidke.

On Sept. 8, 1928, in Benton Harbor, Mich., she married Charles B. Farnsworth, who preceded her in death in 1996. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Irvin and Leonard Schmidke.

She is survived by two daughters, Beverley F. Sunderland of Chesterfield, Mass., and Judith H. Farnsworth of Hesperia, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; her sister, Edith Fitzpatrick of Ontario, Calif.; and by two brothers, Herbert Schmidke of St. Joseph, Mich., and Victor Schmidke of Berrien Springs, Mich.

Prior to her marriage, Helen worked for the Bell Telephone Company in Benton Harbor. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and was a member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, Church Alter Guild and the Women Circle. She was also a member of the Valparaiso University Guild. Helen was a volunteer for the American Red Cross during World War II, was active in the Muessel and Central Schools PTA and served as president of the associations. Helen was an avid golfer and served as president of the Erskine Park Country Club Women's Golf Association.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday in the St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Gregory Fiechtner officiating. Entombment will be in Highland Cemetery following services.

Friends may call in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church.