Obituary: Emil Papke

Portage Township

Emil Papke, 86, a resident of Portage Township passed away Tuesday evening May 14, 2019, at the UP – Health Marquette Hospital following a short illness.

He was born in September of 1932 to Paul and Pearl (Spearman) Papke. He attended the Doelle School for a few years before the family moved to Houghton to help care for his grandparents. He then attended the Houghton Public Schools.

In 1951, he was united in marriage to Alice Hamlin. They have celebrated 66 years together and raised four sons, Paul, Anthony, Ronald and Christopher.

Mr. Papke had worked in the painting business (residential and commercial) from the age of 14 with his father and after his father retired, started his own painting business, retiring later in life due to poor health. He and his business were well known in the area and painted many well-known businesses, schools and landmarks.

In his younger years Brud was a sportsman who enjoyed stream fishing and deer hunting. He also enjoyed taking his family on many trips to many different states. He traveled to the Super Bowl several times with some of his closest friends. He will be missed by many.

Emil “Brud” is survived by:

His wife Alice

His sons: Paul (Judy), Anthony (Brenda) Ronald (Bonnie), Christopher (Niki) and Craig (Jess).

Also his sister-in-law: Theresa, 10 grandchildren and 8 grea grandchildren and a sister Helen Vadnais of Livonia.

Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister June Gagnon.

Funeral services for Brud will be held 11 am Tuesday May 21, 2019, at the Plowe Funeral Home of Houghton with Rev. Aaron Gehrke to officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.

Friends may call on Tuesday May 21, 2019, from 10 to 11 am at the Plowe Funeral home of Houghton.

To view Emil’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.plowefuneralhome.com

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Houghton are assisting the family with the arrangements.