Michael E. Papanoli's Obituary
Michael E. Papanoli, age 87, passed away August 26, 2006, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was born in New Castle, PA on March 27, 1919, to Emmanuel and Mary (Vlastos) Papamanolis. He was raised in Gary, IN and graduated from Horace Mann High School. He attended Purdue University, where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and graduated with a BSME in 1948. Mike earned an MBA degree from the University of Chicago in 1949. He was a WWII Veteran, serving 1940-1946 as a major in the Army Air Corps. He moved to Spring Lake in 1950 and he worked for Teledyne Continental Motors. He later became chief engineer at Challenge Machinery before starting his own business, Ottawa Manufacturing, in 1959. The business is now owned by his son, Michael J. Papanoli; and Mike still went into work five days a week until his hospitalization in May. Mike enjoyed sports of all kinds. He played high school football, and was quarterback on the Purdue Freshman football team. He enjoyed boating, especially sailing, and sailed in numerous Chicago to Mackinac and Port Huron to Mackinac races. He loved golf and traveling all over the world with family and friends. Mike was past commodore of the Spring Lake Yacht Club, a Spring Lake Country Club member for 50 years, and one of the founding members of the 55 Club. He served eight years on the Spring Lake School board, six years as president. He also served on the Cable TV Board and was a delegate to the Republican Party. Mike was a baptized member of the Greek Orthodox Church and attended First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Phyllis (Vink); three children, Karyn (Steve) Streeting of Spring Lake, Bill Merchant of Spring Lake, and Michael J. (Karen) Papanoli of Grand Haven. He has five grandchildren, Jenifer (Kerry) Walsh of Norton Shores; Joel (Norma) Streeting of Spring Lake; Emmanuel Papanoli, Michigan State University; Rosa and Cristina Perez of Grand Haven; six great grandchildren, Frances, Erick and Daniel Veenstra of Cleveland Heights, OH; Logan and Noah Streeting, and Tristian Walsh; a sister-in-law, Marjorie (Robert) Twa of Spring Lake; brother-in-law, Paul (Carol) Vink of Greenwood, IN; several nieces and nephews; cousins in Karpathos, Greece; New Jersey, Indiana, and Pennsylvania; exchange student and friend, Ulf (Elisabeth) Raupach and children, Offenbach, Germany. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel and Mary Papamanolis and his brother John Papamanolis.
For those considering a memorial, the family suggests the Richard Lacks Cancer Center at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids or the First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven, or a charity of your choice. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Michael E.?
What’s a lesson you learned from Michael E.?
Share a story where Michael E.'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Michael E. you’ll never forget.
How did Michael E. make you smile?