Paul Voelker Sr

He was born on August 16, 1940, in Jerome, Arizona, the only child of the late Mervin Joseph and Anna Margeurite (Korvanen) Voelker.

Paul attended high school in Calumet and Adams, Massachusetts, when it was not hunting or fishing season, graduating from Adams High School in 1958.

He was active in ROTC and presented the U.S. Flag to Dwight D. Eisenhower at his presidential inauguration.

He attended college in New Hampshire and at Michigan Tech University, then proudly served in the United States Navy before following his father’s footsteps into mining, being employed by Calumet & Hecla, White Pine Mine and Erie Mining Company.

He moved on to mining mechanical engineering with General Electric in Mtn. Iron, Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois, and Salt Lake City, Utah, finishing his career traveling the world as a Crusher Specialist with Nordberg/Metso retiring to his home in Weeki Wachee, Florida, in 2012.

On June 17, 1960, he was united in marriage to the former Marcia Voyer in Adams, Massachusetts, with whom he raised his children and shared the next 53 years.

Paul loved the out of doors, spending as much time as he could hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, shooting trap, and shooting the breeze over a cold beer with a black and mild. He was an avid reader and knower of all things trivia who could build or fix just about anything. A man whose temper was as hot as his heart was warm, his family and friends will forever cherish fond memories of his appreciation of music, theater, and the Detroit Tigers, good food, bad jokes, candle making and fish filleting skills, suspenders, endless stories, and the most amazing handlebar moustache ever.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his children, Mary Louise (Edwin) Hofferber of Kentwood, Michigan, Paul John Jr. (Madeline) of Laurium, Michigan, Lisa Voelker Espinoza of Tampa, Florida, Christien Ahola (Jon) of Calumet, Heather Voelker (Jim) of Fruitland, Utah; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his faithful companion of 20 years, Tom Catt.

He was a member of United Methodist Church, Hernando, Florida, Calumet, Keewenaw, and Lake Linden Hubbell Sportsman Clubs, Hoyt Lakes Trap Club, Hoyt Lakes Bowling Leagues, Various Rock and Mineral Organizations, Moose Club, Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout and Eagle Scout Leader.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the staff and volunteers at Omega House Hospice.

Condolences may be made directly to the family or through Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with interment at Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet.