Rudolph Herman Zilke

Rudolph H. Zilke, lifelong area nurseryman, passed away September 7, 2006 A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M.on Saturday, September 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Sawyer with Pastor Kendall Schaeffer presiding. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Bridgman. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 8, from 6-8 PM at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials in Rudy’s honor may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Sawyer. Those wishing to share a memory or send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Although Rudolph was born in Galien on August 4, 1909 to Rudolph & Minnie (Lambrect) Zilke, he was a lifelong resident of Baroda. Rudy lived his life doing what he loved, working with his trees and in his fields. In 1932, with his brother Elmer, he began Zilke Brothers Nursery, which is still in business today. He married his sweetheart Helen Burke Zilke on April 20, 1935. Rudy and his wife Helen were also the former owners of Shoreham Restaurant. After ‘retirement” in 1975, he had time to fill everyone’s kitchen with his garden harvests. Rudy and Helen traveled and experienced the world together visiting every continent. Rudy is survived by his wife of 71 years, Helen. Other survivors include his son Roger (Mary Anne) Zilke of Baroda, his sister Clara Schmidt of Bridgman; three grandchildren – Lee (Sara) Gast, Lisa (Chris) Connell , and Lance Gast; five step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Karen in 1997, his parents, his brothers John and Elmer and one sister Adeline (Kaeding).