ANGOLA, Ind. (WOWO): Walter P. Helmke, a former Fort Wayne lawyer and politician, died Wednesday afternoon at his home on Lake James, according to the Journal Gazette.  He was 88.

Helmke was Allen County’s prosecutor from 1962 to 1970 and an Indiana state senator 1970 to 1974.

Helmke was born in Fort Wayne and graduated from Indiana University. He received his juris doctor degree from Valparaiso Unviersity in 1952 and started practicing law that year.
He is survived by his children, former Fort Wayne Mayor Walter Paul Helmke Jr., and Marsha Shirk of North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rowene, who died Dec. 24.