Helen L. Berkheimer
Helen L. Berkheimer
July 04, 1942 ‐ January 03, 2021
Helen was born on the Fourth of July and America celebrated her birthday every year with picnics and fireworks. Born to Ernest and Flora Hartinger of North Olmsted, Ohio, she was one of five children. Older brothers Dick and Jim and younger sisters June and Joan shared the little house on Mackenzie Road. She was married in 1962 to Jim Berkheimer and raised five sons ( Dan, Dave, Bob, Bill, Rich,Caroline deceased). Each of her three pregnancies resulted in twins, and she even made the papers after she gave birth to her second set of twins who were born eleven months later. The boys all raised families with their loving wives ( Julie, Kelly, Nancy, Kathie and Cathy), and Mom welcomed each one into the family and treated the girls as her own daughters. She was blessed with twelve grandchildren of whom she was so proud (Kenzie, Sarah, Katie, Cassidy, Alec, Mason, Olivia, Cody, Courtney, Arabelle, Maggie and Lizzie ).
A loving and caring person, Helen was very giving and fun to be with. She loved planning special events such as family trips to Florida and Tennessee, as well as a special day at the carousel museum with her family and her grandchildren. She began a “Pumpkin Hunt” for the family that became a yearly event. She loved giving thoughtful and generous Christmas gifts every year, especially to her grandchildren.
What started out as looking for bargains at local garage sales evolved into a lifelong passion for Helen buying and selling antiques and collectables. Along with her husband Jim, they attended many estate sales, auctions and antique shows, as they hunted for their next treasure. They were eventually considered self-taught experts in the field of vintage toys and antiques. In time, she became an antique dealer and started “Seven B’s Collectibles”. For many years she bought and sold items at shows, some as far away as Chicago and at several antique shops in northeast Ohio. A personal highlight was attending the Antiques Roadshow and being featured in an article with her photograph in The Plain Dealer.! Each summer Helen was a vendor at the Milan Antiques Festival, where she became known for her family’s help as well as the bargains at her booth. There will always be fond memories of lunch of pizza calzones, Toft’s ice cream and a family dinner afterward.
She had a fascination for and love of hot air balloons. Helen shared this experience with her grandchildren who not only enjoyed the brightly colored canvases, but the excitement of chasing the balloons to their landing spot so they could help pack the balloon away. She had a way of making the little things in life become memorable moments.
In later life, Helen enjoyed going to the casino with family and friends, including bus rides to Michigan and Pennsylvania. She loved her cats and the deer who visited her back yard who she treated with apples and corn.
She was an outstanding example of a devoted wife, mother and grandmother for her family. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her positive impact and the love she shared will always be with them.
"A Heart Is Not Judged By How Much You Love But By How Much You Are Loved By Others." L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Guest Comments
Tom and Sharon Cargill
Tallmadge, Ohio
Our deepest sympathy to Dave and Kelly, and to Alec and Cassidy as well as all the brothers and cousins missing their Mom and Grandma. It sounds like you will all carry wonderful memories of her into the future.
Bonnie Caudill
Vermilion Ohio
My thoughts and prayers are with the Berkheimer families. That little house on Mackenzie Rd was the gathering place for the Hartinger cousins growing up. I hold many fond memories of growing up with Helen there. May you fly high dear Helen.
Rose Gordon
Mentor, Ohio
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for all the Berkheimers.
Andrea vlach
North Olmsted ohio
Was a wonderful women always down to earth and loved to have family time and family gatherings. Will never forget the Halloween that we had at her house they were always so fun for all us kids
Kelly Murphy
Chardon, Oh
My condolences to all of Helen’s family. She was a loving, giving person to all! She will be missed by all who knew her.
Darlene Wallace
Avon Ohio
I had the privilege of knowing Helen through her family. We shared the same interest in antiques that always brought joy to both of us. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Love
Darlene Wallace
Rosie and Dave Schaeffer
Strongsville
We send our condolence to the family
When growing up in North Olmsted, I Spent a lot of time at the family home hanging out with Joni and June I got to know Helen, her humor and and laughter and friendliness such a lovely lady.
Hugs and prayers to the family.