Saturday ObitsCoyote |
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Master and Commander Posts: 1341 Location: NE Florida | Subject: Saturday Obits https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/ The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted. I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate. KUHLMANN .. .. .. Wayne Charles Kuhlmann was born on February 12, 1933, in Soldier Township, Iowa, the son of William Johannes and Marie (Hagemann) Kuhlmann. He was baptized on March 26, 1933, and later confirmed on April 14, 1946, both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Soldier Township. Wayne graduated with the Class of 1951 from Charter Oak High School. Following graduation, Wayne enlisted in the United States Navy on September 27, 1951. He served in the Korean War on a submarine and received his honorable discharge on September 26, 1955. After his service, he often reminisced about the many places he traveled. On June 8, 1958, Wayne was united in marriage to Lou Wonne Ione Wulf at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Schleswig. They made their home in Ricketts, Iowa, and were blessed with two children, Tracy and Brian. Wayne built a lifelong career with Farmers Savings Bank in Ricketts, beginning as a teller and working his way up to President before his retirement. Throughout his adult life, Wayne was a devoted member of both St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ricketts and St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, where he held various positions within the churches and community. He was also active in the Charter Oak American Legion Post 0066 and the Ricketts Fire Department. Wayne enjoyed playing fastpitch softball in the Ricketts and Charter Oak leagues and always had a love for baseball. He was a proud fan of the New York Yankees and the Iowa Hawkeyes. His hobbies included gardening, bowling, and Friday night dinner clubs with friends. Above all, he cherished the time spent with his family, especially his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wayne passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the age of 92 years, nine months and nine days. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Wonne Kuhlmann in 2020; siblings: Norman Kuhlmann, Donna Berka, Lois Clausen and Darrell Kuhlmann. He is survived by his daughter, Tracy (Kurt) Petersen; son, Brian (Christy) Kuhlmann; four grandchildren: Taylor (Breck), Alexa (Danny), Jaxson and Emma; three great-grandchildren: Bennett, Miley and Dillon; siblings: Betty Mefford, Carol Schiltz, Denny Kuhlmann, Tom Kuhlmann and Lynn Holcomb; many nieces and nephews; and other family and friends. HELKE .. .. .. James Martin “Jim” Helke, 95, of Spartanburg, SC passed away Thursday, November 13, 2025. He was born in Highland Park, IL on March 1, 1930 to the late Ben and Rose Hart Helke, and was the husband of Genevieve “Jen” Nikolai Helke for 50 years. Jim lived a life shaped by devotion, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the world around him. He proudly served in the United States Navy, spending memorable years in Italy and in the submarine service. His time in the Navy was not only a duty fulfilled, but one of the defining experiences of his life. Following his service, Jim carried his strong work ethic into the construction industry, managing repair parts inventories with Allis-Chalmers and Ingersoll Rand. His path later led him to become the owner of Helke’s Cheese Shoppe and to become one of the earliest UPS consolidation centers—ventures that reflected both his versatility and his willingness to embrace new challenges. A gifted handyman and meticulous craftsman, Jim found joy in caring for his home and in taking on projects that others might shy away from. There was truly no task he would not attempt, and he approached each one with pride, creativity, and an eager spirit. His workshop was his sanctuary, especially when he was at his lathe shaping wood into something beautiful and enduring. Jim’s love of travel carried him across landscapes near and far. He delighted in long drives, cruises, and train journeys, especially to the Finger Lakes, Maine, Yellowstone, Canadian Rockies, and Alaska. His journeys with Jen for her work took him even farther, giving him the gift of seeing the world through both adventure and companionship. A connoisseur of life’s finer pleasures, Jim enjoyed good food, good wine, and the comfortable escape of a well-written mystery novel. He never missed an opportunity to try a new restaurant, savor a new flavor, or share a conversation with those around him. Social, adventurous, and always engaged with life, he welcomed people with warmth and made friends wherever he went. Above all, Jim was loving. He was deeply devoted to his family and to those fortunate enough to be counted as family in his heart. He never failed to say “I Love You” to Jen and attributed that to the success of his marriage. His life was marked by generosity, loyalty, and a steady affection that lifted the lives of those he held dear. Jim was a faithful member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and a proud 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Along with his wife, Jen Helke, Jim is survived by his daughter, Shari Helke Hrabec, and granddaughter, Tara Helke Roberts (Ken). He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Betty Helke. HITE .. .. .. John Roger Hite, age 81, passed away on October 24, 2025, at BSA Hospital in Amarillo, Texas, following a lengthy illness, surrounded by friends and family. Roger was born on November 13, 1943, to Harold & Lucille Cresswell Hite in Elk City, Oklahoma. He graduated from Borger High School in 1962. He joined the U.S. Navy shortly after graduation. He served on the U.S.S. Swordfish, U.S.S. Perch, and U.S.S. Raton submarines during the Vietnam War. He served 6 years active duty and 4 years in the reserve before being honorably discharged. He was then employed at Pantex for 5 years, where he met Barbara Lavake, whom he later married on September 17, 1970. They were married 55 happy years. He worked for 30 years for the Santa Fe and BNSF railroad companies. He was a member of the Saint Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Amarillo for over 30 years, where he served as an usher and a member of the Genesis Sunday School class. He was always helpful to those in need, and he loved his pets. He was preceded in death by his parents Lucille and Harold Hite, and brother, Bill Hite. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Lavake Hite, daughter Michele Annette Hite McCollum and her husband Bart Toby McCollum, son John Eric Hite of Lubbock, grandsons Jacob Wesley and Nathan John McCollum, sister Susan Sublett of Georgetown, sister-in-law Ramona Hite of Dallas, and several nieces and nephews. | ||
