Eric C. Wolske

Eric C. Wolske, 74, of Benton Harbor, went to meet his Lord & Savior on Saturday, May 24, 2003 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4071 Naomi Rd., Sodus. Cremation will follow the services. Memorials may be made to Hospice of South Haven or to Heifer Project International, a non-profit organization that provides fruit trees & livestock to people in developing nations. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home. Eric was born on April 7, 1929 in St. Joseph to Otto & Mary (Kublick) Wolske. On March 30, 1963 he married the former Helga Henkelman in St. Joseph. Eric was employed as a machine operator at Modern Plastics for 10 years. He left Modern Plastics to pursue other interests. Eric founded Wolske Saw Mill & Pallet Co. in Benton Harbor, which he owned & operated until his health forced his retirement. His family continues its operation. Eric was also an inventor. He engineered and built many of the machines & tools that he used in his saw mill as well as many devices for use around his property for both work and relaxation. Mr. Wolske is survived by his wife Helga; two sons-Martin (Angela) Wolske of Champaigne, IL; Michael Wolske of Benton Harbor; his daughter-Rev. Christine (Rev. Don) Battjes of Herkimer, NY; four grandchildren-Eric & Joseph Wolske, Lydia & Luke Battjes; two brothers-Arthur (Else) Wolske & Orland (Ilda) Wolske both of Benton Harbor; a sister-Anita (Jerry) Ellis of Benton Harbor; and a sister-in-law-Hildegard Wolske of Benton Harbor. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother-Alvin Wolske on December 8, 2002.