Alex Papes, age 92 of Free Soil, Michigan, passed from his earthly life to his eternal life on Thursday, October 10, 2024 in Manistee at the Maple Ridge Manor.

He was born on January 30, 1932 in Free Soil.  He lived on the family farm for most of his life.  He was the youngest of 6 boys born to Polish-Slovakian immigrants Joseph and Angeline Papes.  His parents had met in Chicago prior to making their way to Free Soil's Polish farming community.

Alex graduated from Free Soil High School in 1950.  He was the valedictorian and the last surviving member of his class.  He was an outstanding pitcher for the Pirate's baseball team and a stellar forward on the basketball team.  He shared many athletic adventures with his friend and classmate, Eddie Zajac.  After high school, Alex enlisted in the U.S. Air Force with dreams of becoming a pilot.  However, his eyesight did not meet the required standards.  While in the Air Force, Alex served at a tracking station in Greenland.  He was also stationed in Colorado where he helped build an Air Force landing strip that would later become Denver International Airport.  After being honorably discharged, he returned to the family farm.  Alex was then employed for over 40 years as a machinist for the Packaging Corporation of America in Manistee.

Alex married Kay Johnson in the spring of 1964.  They were married until her death in 2001.

At one point in his life, Alex bought all the parts of a U.S. Army jeep and assembled it by himself into his hunting vehicle.

Our "Uncle Alex" was a confident but quiet man.  He was a good listener.  He was a gentleman, but had a bit of rascal in his nature.  He was always ready to quietly celebrate with a bit of beer or whiskey.  He was very social and could often be found at one of his favorite "watering holes"!  He was an avid fisherman and hunter.  He especially loved deer hunting whether it was on his back forty or out in the Manistee National Forest around "Papes Corner" with his brothers, nephews, and a few other friends.  Alex had no children, but played Santa Claus for his nephews and nieces.

He loved all ports, but baseball was his favorite.  Lean and lank, he pitched for the Manistee Saints as well as for the Free Soil Men's Town Team which he later managed in the last years of its existence.

In his later years, he loved socializing with his nieces and nephews, following the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions, listening to country music and completing crossword and Sudoku puzzles.

He was an altar boy, usher and a lifetime communicant of St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Angela, his wife Kay, his niece Evelyn Malcomnsen, and his five brothers and their spouses; James and Marie, Joseph and Doris, John and Sophie, Steve and Dorothy and Charles and Doris.

Left to cherish his memory are his nieces and nephews Marie Boguszewski, Mike Malcomnsen, Eugene (Val) Papes, Tony (Linda) Papes, Jim (Laura) Papes, David (Lynda) Papes, Richard Papes, Donna (Phil) Quinlan, Jerome (Sandy) Papes, Joyce (Jim) Lokovich, Tom (Willette) Papes, John (Pat) Papes, Ann (Bob) Banwell, Alice (Mike) McDonald, Steve (Mary) Papes, Ed (Kathy) Papes, Ken (Cindy) Papes, Christy (Bob) Durham, Shari (David) Sikkenga and many grand and great nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, October 18, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil with Reverend Daniel DePew celebrant.  Burial will follow in St. John Cantius Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Herbert Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.  where relatives, friends and the members of the St. John Cantius Rosary Society will pray the rosary at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Free Soil or to Hospice of Michigan.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Michigan and the staff at Maple Ridge Manor (especially Abby and Jessica) for their compassionate care of our uncle.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.