John Rupert Popa, age 88, of Manistee, MI, died peacefully Tuesday morning, May 31, 2016 at West Shore Medical Center in Manistee.

He was born march 27, 1928 in Manistee and was the son of the late Joseph & Anna (Guzikowski) Popa. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Bigalke on November 21, 1964 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee.

John lived his entire life in Manistee. He was a graduate of Manistee High School with the class 1946 (70 years ago) and was employed at Morton Salt Co. for 10 years and retired from Packaging Corporation of America after a long working career. John was initially a caddie in the late 1930's and early 40's prior to becoming a longtime member of the Manistee Golf & Country Club. He was an excellent golfer and cherished his golfing friends and relationships. He spent many hours taking beautiful photos that were made into slides that he shared with family and friends. He was an avid sports fan and as a youngster, listening to Chicago Cubs games on the radio and later in life actively supported the Detroit Tigers.
John along with his best friend Ed Grabowski and six other classmates, enlisted in the U.S. Army right out of high school. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving as a Military Policeman in the Philippines in 1946-1947. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4499 and the Catholic War Veterans #1847 both of Manistee. John was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Catholic Community of Manistee.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Elizabeth (Betty) Popa of Manistee, MI and his sister, Sylvia Babuska of Flint, MI. He is also survived by many in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Phyllis.

John was an adored, fabulous and loving uncle, providing many years of memorable excursions to the beaches and ice cream parlors of Manistee and will be sorely missed by his loving nieces and nephews who will always cherish their summer memories.

Mass from The Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 4, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Rev. Richard Schaeffer celebrant. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee where members of the Manistee County United Veterans Council Ritual Team will present graveside military honors.

An evening rosary service will be led by Rev. Schaeffer and prayed with family and friends at 6:30 PM Friday, June 3, 2016 at Herbert Funeral home in Manistee. The family will be at the funeral home from 5:00 to 8: 00PM on Friday to receive friends. The family will also be at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until leaving for the church at 10:40 AM.

A memorial has been established in John's name to St. Joseph Catholic Church of Manistee, for their building and bell tower restoration. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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