WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Patricia A. Papke, 76, of White Pigeon, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo following a short illness.
She was born March 3, 1936, in White Pigeon, a daughter of H. Russell and Mary (Gross) Lough.
She was first married to William R. (Buck) Tavernier. That marriage ended in divorce.
On March 1, 1986, she married Irwin E. Papke in White Pigeon. He died Aug. 10, 2005.
She was a White Pigeon area resident all of her life and a graduate of White Pigeon High School and Glen Oaks Community College. She was an LPN employed in nursing homes, Three Rivers hospital and Bronson Methodist Hospital.
She was a member of the Widow’s Club and enjoyed her family, knitting and traveling to the family cabin in Canada.
Surviving are her daughter, Patrice (James) Smith of White Pigeon; son, Stephen (Chandra) Tavernier of White Pigeon; two grandchildren, Jenna (Leonard) Bauder of White Pigeon and Brittany (Nathan) Matkin; two great-grandchildren, Kalyn and Leonard Bauder IV; three sisters, Susan (Robert) Strawser of White Pigeon, Sharon Miller of Elkhart, Ind., and Judith Wood of Three Rivers; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, William Tavernier; and two sisters, Mildred Shafer and Linda Wells.
Relative and friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon, where services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday with Rev. Wilbur Brandli officiating. Interment will take place in Mottville Township Cemetery. Donations may be directed to the Animal Rescue Fund.
