Emory R. Paap Obituary (1915 - 2011)

Emory R. Paap, 96 years of age, of Beatrice, NE. passed away at the Good Samaritan Center in Beatrice Tuesday evening, November 22, 2011. He was born on August 29, 1915 near Avoca, NE. to William and Emma (Ropers) Paap and was a graduate of Avoca High School. Emory served his country in the United States Army during World War II from February 24, 1941 until June 15, 1945 and was awarded the Purple Heart. Emory and Rhoda Neitzel were married on June 13, 1942 in Long Beach, CA. and moved to Beatrice in 1945. He was employed by the United States Postal Service from 1947 first as a city route carrier, and later as a rural route carrier retiring in 1981. He was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church and had served on various church committees; served 1 year in the C.C.C.; lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Bitting-Norman Post #27, American Legion, and Geddes- Thober Post #1077 Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Beatrice; and a member of the Retired Rural Carries Association. Emory enjoyed gardening, traveling, and working with furniture. Survivors include his son Randy Paap and wife Virginia of Honey Creek, Iowa; 3 daughters Carolyn Kirtley and husband Al of Clay Center, KS., Virginia Swanson and husband Dennis of Glenwood, Iowa, and Margaret Huffman and husband Jim of Boulder, CO.; 9 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; brother Roland Paap and wife Kathy and sister Wilma Stuecklin, all of Omaha; and AFS students Ines Vitali of Argentina and Siti Mansor of Malaysia. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Emma (Ropers) Paap; wife Rhoda Paap (2003); and daughter Nancy. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Centenary United Methodist Church with Reverend Charles Spence officiating. Interment will be at 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the Otoe Cemetery, Otoe, NE. Military graveside services will be provided by Bitting-Norman Post #27, American Legion. The body will lie in state Friday from 3-9:00 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 6:30-8:00, and at the church one hour preceding the service on Saturday. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M. Saturday at the church. A memorial has been established to the church with the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in charge. Sign his guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.