Helen Belke

Helen (nee Rahaley) Belke, 61, of St. Joseph, passed away, July 29, 2010 at Orchard Grove Extended Care, following a battle with Alzheimer 's disease. A Funeral Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home 2650 Niles Rd. in St. Joseph with Rev. Martin Measel officiating. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Helen was born on February 12, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Paul and Betty (Forner) Rahaley. She graduated in 1967 from Our Lady of Mercy High School in Farmington Hills. Helen graduated with a degree in Theater Arts from Eastern Michigan University. Helen taught briefly for the Dearborn and Westland School Districts. She then traveled to live in Cologne, Germany for a total of five years. Helen taught English to German students. Fluent in German, she was later employed by the Volkswagen Automotive Company. Upon returning to the United States, Helen moved to Prescott, Arizona, where she married Wayne and resided in Chino Valley, until 2000 when they returned to St. Joseph, Michigan. Helen loved the theatre; she performed in community theatres, and also directed many high school plays. She also loved working in her rose garden. She was survived by her loving husband of 19 ?1/2 years, Wayne Belke, her sisters Nancy Hawley and Mary (Dean) Anderson, her nieces and nephews Michael Karpus, Kathleen Karpus, Ryan Rahaley, former sister-in-law, Laura (Rod) Cebulski. Helen was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Elizabeth Rahaley and her brother Patrick Rahaley.