Ernest Helmke, 90, of Great Barrington, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, at the Fellowship Community in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.
Ernest retired to Great Barrington in 2000 after serving as a Lutheran minister for 35 years, first in Jamaica, Queens, and then in Stewart Manor, N.Y. For many years, he sang in the Berkshire Lyric Chorus and volunteered at the local food pantry. He attended both the Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield and the Christian Community Church in Hillsdale.
Ernest is survived by his wife Elsie Helmke of Great Barrington and three children—Krista Palmer of Great Barrington, Nancy Valentine of Midland Park, N.J., and John Helmke of Great Barrington—as well as eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
The funeral service were held at the Christian Community Church in Chestnut Ridge, N.Y., on March 18. Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Waldorf School, 35 W. Plain Rd., Great Barrington, MA 01230, or to The Fellowship Community, 241 Hungry Hollow Rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977.
