Harvey Fred Kelm
Harvey Fred Kelm passed away on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the age of 98. He was born on Nov. 4, 1921, to Herman and Alma (Zoch) Kelm in Georgetown. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg. He served his country during WWII in the 221st General Hospital Group as a medical technician in North Africa, Italy, Germany, and France.
After being discharged in 1945 he hitchhiked his way back home to Walburg where shortly after he met and married the love of his life, Bernice Hengst on June 9, 1946. They were blessed with four children, Carol, Connie, Randy, and Harvey Jr.
He and his family moved quite a number of times between Houston and Georgetown during the 40’s and early 50’s. He graduated from ITI Technical School in Chicago with a technical degree in industrial electronics, which enabled him to get a job at IGC Sandow Plant in 1953. He then made Thorndale his home and never moved again.
He and Bernice opened the Dairy Maid in 1964 and operated it until 1969. He served as an elder in the Lutheran Church for most of his married life in Houston and Thorndale. He taught Sunday School and Adult Bible Class for more than 20 years and also served several terms as a councilman for the City of Thorndale. He and Bernice also organized a home bible study, which met together for over 30 years.
Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Alma Kelm; brothers, Wilbert, Calvin, and Ben; sister, Gertrude Kieschnick and daughters, Carol and Connie.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Bernice; sons, Randy (Sandra) and Harvey Jr.; son-in-law, John Fricke; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Kelm; grandchildren, Mindy Walker, Kyle (Megan) Fricke, Maya (Shaun) Wilson, Shivani Drinkall, Sara (Matthew) Watkins, Zachary (Diana) Kelm, Nathaniel (Jessica) Kelm, and Deidre (Chris) Lanier; great-grandchildren, Blake, Grace, Nathan, Adelaide, Beckett, Luke, Hope, Elijah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Emma, and Charlotte; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Oct. 2, 2020, at St Paul Lutheran Church and Cemetery of Thorndale. Grandsons served as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church General Fund.