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As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
John “Pudy” Voelker, 95, a resident of Calumet passed away on December 4, 2020 at Mission Point of Hancock, MI.
John was born on April 25, 1925 in Quincy Location to Charles and Marceline (Cote) Voelker. He attended the local schools and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1943. While in high school, John enjoyed playing basketball and earned the Most Valuable Player award during his senior year.
Following high school John went on to work in the copper mines for many years. He worked for the Quincy Mining Company, Calumet & Hecla Mining Company, White Pine Copper Company, and Homestead Mining Company. He also worked for several local construction companies before working at Michigan Tech as a laboratory assayist before retiring.
John married Ellen Kanniainen on November 23, 1946. They enjoyed 54 years together raising 4 children and enjoying their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Seven years were spent as proud owners of Tebor’s Party Store on Hecla Street in Laurium from 1963 – 1970.
John was a hard worker and liked to stay active. He could often be seen in his yard tending to the cedar hedges, planting trees, building extra garages, and taking 5 mile walks. He loved people and spent his later years going to grandchildren’s sporting games and visiting the local establishments, sparking conversation with everybody. Pudy was well known and loved in the community and will be missed by many.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marceline Voelker; wife Ellen; son Gary; siblings George, Eleanor, Francis, Adele, Kathleen, and Paul; and granddaughter Morgan.
He is survived by 3 children: Ronald (Cheryl) Voelker of Battle Creek; Mary (Glen) Manninen of Chassell; Sandra (David) Hendrickson of Marquette; and daughter-in-law Roberta (Spurr) Voelker of Oswego, IL; as well as 7 grandchildren: Robert (Carla) Voelker of Youngsville, NC, Gary (Kim) Voelker, Jr. of Timnath, CO, Jason (Amanda) Voelker of Montgomery, IL, Abe (Chris) Voelker of Calumet, MI, Carey Hendrickson Espinoza of Marquette MI, Stacy Hendrickson of Traverse City, MI, and Ryan (Courtney)Hendrickson of Ann Arbor, MI.
Also surviving are 13 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A private funeral service will be held at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home.
Burial will take place in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet in the spring.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family.
