Leonard Joseph Popa

Leonard “Len” Joseph Popa, 91, of Traverse City passed away Friday, November 10, 2017 at Munson Medical Center with his loving family at his side. Leonard was born April 18, 1926 on the family farm just outside of Cedar, the second child of Thomas and Catherine (Novak) Popa. On October 30, 1948 he married Betty Jane Yanski at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City. Together they lovingly raised five wonderful children. Honorably, Leonard served our Country during WWII in the United States Army as a Sargent in Artillery. He was an all American guy who truly loved his Country. He was very proud of his discharge papers being signed by President Truman. After his time in the service he came back and worked for Parsons Corporation making helicopter blades. After several years he left Parsons to start his own custom home building company; where he happily employed all five of his children. He was incredibly handy and could fix just about anything. To say he was hard working was an understatement, he just loved to help people. A handshake and a smile was his contract with customers. In his spare time he really enjoyed playing cards especially euchre and blackjack. Leonard was a family man. He loved his children and grandchildren dearly. His grandchildren convinced him to go back and get his High School diploma. So in 2008 he proudly graduated from Traverse City West High School at the age of 81. Leonard will fondly be remembered for his devotion to his work, friends and especially his family. His sarcastic personality and one liner jokes will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Surviving Leonard is his bride Betty of 69 wonderful years, children, Dave (Merri Lyn) Popa of Houston, TX., Mike Popa of Traverse City, MI., Chuck (Mary) Popa of Traverse City, MI., William (Sandra) Popa of Houston, TX., and Shelley (Joseph) Becker of Traverse City, MI., grandchildren, Christopher (Ashley) Popa, Jonathan Popa, Jennifer Popa, Justin Popa, Benjamin Popa, Heather (Eddie) Nickerson, Ryan (Brianna) Popa, Jordan (Maura) Popa, Danielle (Jake) Posch, Kyle Popa, great grandchildren, Landon, Kinslee and Reese, siblings, Alice McNeil, Katherine Stachnik, Julie (Joe) McAuliffe, in-law’ Don Herman, Ruthie Popa and many other loving family members and friends. Leonard was greeted in heaven by his granddaughter Nicole, his parents, siblings and in-laws, Agnes (Joe) Brzezinski, Irene (Stanley) Walters, Gertrude (Meda) Lamie, Mary Popa, Teresa Herman, Rose Marie (Ralph) Couturier, Larry McNeil, Teddy Popa, Louie Stachnik, and Tommy Popa. Visitation will be held from 6-8 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday November 17, 2017 with a rosary at 7:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10am on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at St. Francis Catholic Church with a visitation beginning at 9am. Memorial contributions may be directed to Carmelite Monastery. Internment will take place in the spring at Oakwood Catholic Cemetery. Kindly share thoughts and memories with Leonard’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Leonard Joseph Popa

April 18, 1926 - November 10, 2017