Helmut Gerstenkorn

Helmut Gerstenkorn, 86, of Stevensville, passed away, Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at his home. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Colfax & Kline Avenues, Benton Harbor, with Rev. Jeremy Laitinen officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Monday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Lakeland Hospice, Berrien County Cancer Service or St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Those wishing to sign Helmut’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Helmut was born September 7, 1925 in Wolhynien, Ukraine to Karl T. & Berta (Jede) Gerstenkorn. On March 28, 1947, he married the former Theresia Schaller in Hersbruck, Germany. Helmut was employed as a brick mason, self-employed for many years, and later working for Wally Pollee, retiring in 1989. He was a devoted & loving husband, father, & grandfather who was always willing to help anyone anyway he could. Helmut enjoyed his ravine lot where he could watch & feed the birds & squirrels. Helmut is survived by his wife Theresia; his children-Erhard (Jacqueline) Gerstenkorn of Groveland, FL, Manfred (Teresa) Gerstenkorn of St. Joseph, Heidi (Gary) Splese of St. Joseph; nine grandchildren-Rebecca (Bernd) Lucius, Timothy & Edward Gerstenkorn, Colleen (Charlie) Cox, Jennifer, Jason & Juliann Gerstenkorn, Nicholas & Nathan Splese; four great-grandchildren-Brittany, Brandon, Mackenzie & Joshua; her sister Irene (Josef) Broja of Wolfsburg, Germany; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers-Karl, Albert, Wilhelm & Robert Gerstenkorn, and his sister Brangele Broja.