Obituary for Paul John Voelker Sr.
Paul John Voelker, Sr., 81, a resident of Laurium, Michigan passed away in the arms and hearts of his family on December 13, 2021 at Omega House Hospice in Houghton, MI from old age after a lifetime of adventure.
He was born on August 16, 1940 in Jerome, Arizona, the only child of the late Mervin Joseph and Anna Margeurite (Korvanen) Voelker.
Paul attended High School in Calumet Michigan and Adams Massachusetts when it was not hunting or fishing season, graduating from Adams High School in 1958. He was active in ROTC and presented the US Flag to Dwight D. Eisenhower at his presidential inauguration.
He attended college in New Hampshire and at Michigan Tech University then proudly served in the United States Navy before following his father’s footsteps into mining, being employed by Calumet & Hecla, White Pine Mine and Erie Mining Company.
He moved on to mining mechanical engineering with General Electric in Mtn. Iron Minnesota, Chicago Illinois, and Salt Lake City Utah, finishing his career traveling the world as a Crusher Specialist with Nordberg/Metso retiring to his home in Weeki Wachee Florida in 2012.
On June 17, 1960 he was united in marriage to the former Marcia Voyer in Adams Massachusetts, with whom he raised his children and shared the next 53 years.
Paul loved the out of doors, spending as much time as he could hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, shooting trap, and shooting the breeze over a cold beer with a black and mild. He was an avid reader and knower of all things trivia who could build or fix just about anything. A man whose temper was as hot as his heart was warm, his family and friends will forever cherish fond memories of his appreciation of music, theater, and the Detroit Tigers, good food, bad jokes, candle making and fish filleting skills, suspenders, endless stories, and the most amazing handlebar moustache ever.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children:
Mary Louise (Edwin) Hofferber of Kentwood, Michigan
Paul John Jr. (Madeline) of Laurium, Michigan
Lisa Voelker Espinoza of Tampa, Florida
Christien Ahola (Jon) of Calumet, Michigan
Heather Voelker (Jim) of Fruitland, Utah
11 Grandchildren
4 Great Grandchildren
And his faithful companion of 20 years, Tom Catt
He was a member of
United Methodist Church
Hernando Florida, Calumet Keewenaw, and Lake Linden Hubbell Sportsman Clubs
Hoyt Lakes Trap Club
Hoyt Lakes Bowling Leagues
Various Rock and Mineral Organizations
Moose Club
Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout and Eagle Scout Leader
The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Omega House Hospice.
Condolences may be made directly to the family or through Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with interment at Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet, Michigan.
He was born on August 16, 1940 in Jerome, Arizona, the only child of the late Mervin Joseph and Anna Margeurite (Korvanen) Voelker.
Paul attended High School in Calumet Michigan and Adams Massachusetts when it was not hunting or fishing season, graduating from Adams High School in 1958. He was active in ROTC and presented the US Flag to Dwight D. Eisenhower at his presidential inauguration.
He attended college in New Hampshire and at Michigan Tech University then proudly served in the United States Navy before following his father’s footsteps into mining, being employed by Calumet & Hecla, White Pine Mine and Erie Mining Company.
He moved on to mining mechanical engineering with General Electric in Mtn. Iron Minnesota, Chicago Illinois, and Salt Lake City Utah, finishing his career traveling the world as a Crusher Specialist with Nordberg/Metso retiring to his home in Weeki Wachee Florida in 2012.
On June 17, 1960 he was united in marriage to the former Marcia Voyer in Adams Massachusetts, with whom he raised his children and shared the next 53 years.
Paul loved the out of doors, spending as much time as he could hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, shooting trap, and shooting the breeze over a cold beer with a black and mild. He was an avid reader and knower of all things trivia who could build or fix just about anything. A man whose temper was as hot as his heart was warm, his family and friends will forever cherish fond memories of his appreciation of music, theater, and the Detroit Tigers, good food, bad jokes, candle making and fish filleting skills, suspenders, endless stories, and the most amazing handlebar moustache ever.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children:
Mary Louise (Edwin) Hofferber of Kentwood, Michigan
Paul John Jr. (Madeline) of Laurium, Michigan
Lisa Voelker Espinoza of Tampa, Florida
Christien Ahola (Jon) of Calumet, Michigan
Heather Voelker (Jim) of Fruitland, Utah
11 Grandchildren
4 Great Grandchildren
And his faithful companion of 20 years, Tom Catt
He was a member of
United Methodist Church
Hernando Florida, Calumet Keewenaw, and Lake Linden Hubbell Sportsman Clubs
Hoyt Lakes Trap Club
Hoyt Lakes Bowling Leagues
Various Rock and Mineral Organizations
Moose Club
Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout and Eagle Scout Leader
The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Omega House Hospice.
Condolences may be made directly to the family or through Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with interment at Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet, Michigan.