Submitted by: John C. Monk

Joseph Papp

April 15, 1921 - Jan. 8, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Joseph Papp, 88, of South Bend, died at 9:00 p.m. Friday, January 8, 2010, in his residence following an illness. Mr. Papp was born April 15, 1921, in South Bend, to the late George and Agnes (Kish) Papp, and was a lifetime area resident. On September 27, 1941, in South Bend, he married Martha "Markey" Newland, who preceded him in death September 29, 1993. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Wilma Papp Bentzler, Helen Papp Csordos and Ethel Papp Klugston; and three brothers, Louis, George and Emery "Jim" Papp. He is survived by a daughter, Barbara J. Mansfield (John) of Sykesville, MD; a son, George J. Papp (Allison) of DeSoto, KS; five grandchildren, Theresa Shepherd (Jeff), Joseph Luke Papp, Helen Elise Papp, William Dane Papp and Megan McAnany; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Margaret Jurkaites of South Bend. Mr. Papp retired from the research and development department of the former Kawneer Co. in Niles, MI, after 31 years, from which he held several patents. He had previously been employed as a machinist for Studebaker and South Bend Lathe. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II as a member of the V PB 117 Patrol Bomber Squadron. For his service he received the Presidential Unit Citation, Purple Heart and Air Medal, and Distinguished Flying Cross. He was an avid reader and spent his life studying the lives and accomplishments of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Tesla, Charles Lindbergh, the Wright Brothers and Amelia Earhart. He took great interest in model steam engines and was published in several model magazines. He built the only 1/4 scale replica of Ford's first auto, "1896 Quadricycle," which has been featured in model magazines and displayed at various model shows. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12th, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. The family will receive friends in the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services at 4:00. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.

Published in South Bend Tribune from January 10 to January 11, 2010