Thomas Papenbrock

Thomas E. Papenbrock, Sr., 74, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 12:08 a. m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at his home.e Although he had been in failing health, his death was unexpected. Mr. Papenbrock was born on March 18, 1939 in Churubusco, a son of Ervin H. and Mary E. (Nestel) Papenbrock, and spent his formative years there.e As a young man he served with the U. S. Army, and lived all of his adult life in Columbia City and Churubusco. Tom spent all of his adult life in car sales, and worked at Thompson's Whitley County Motors in Columbia City for a number of years.e He later worked as a driver for Bart's Auto Sales. He was a member of the Gilbert Davis American Legion Post 157 in Churubusco and Columbia City Elks Lodge 1417. On September 19, 1982 he was married in Kentucky to Dianne (Wallace) Manns.e She survives. Also surviving are two sons Thomas (Tina) Papenbrock, Jr. of Churubusco and Jon (Jennifer) Hamming of Grand Rapids, Mich; a step-daughter Robin (Everett) Shonk of Francisville; and two step-sons Chris (Christine) Bratten and Ron (Sue Miller) Bratten, both of Churubusco; two brothers Terry L. (Sheryll) Papenbrock and Timothy L. (Jo) Papenbrock, both of Churubusco; two sisters Sarah Cleator of Aiken, SC and Suzy (John) Konger of Albion; 23 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Robert Papenbrock; and by a step-son David Bratten. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. on Friday, May 3, 2013, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Rick Van Horn, pastor of Christ Community Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 8 p. m.e Columbia City Elks Lodge 1417 will conduct memorial services at 8 p. m. Thursday at the funeral home. Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Riverview Cemetery, south of Churubusco. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, 6316 Mutual Dr., Fort Wayne, INe 46825; or American Heart Association, 208 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60604 *************************************