George Anthony Papp

George Anthony Papp was born on April 22, 1925, in Himlerville, Kentucky. He was the second of three sons born to George and Mary Papp. His father worked in the coal mines in Kentucky. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio after the stock market crash in 1929 which caused coal prices to drop. His father passed away in 1930 when George was five years old. The family stayed in the Hungarian Section of Cleveland, Ohio on Buckeye Road. He lived there with his mother and two brothers Ralph and "Gubby" until WWII began. Ralph volunteered for service in 1941 and George received his draft notice on the same day that he received his High School Diploma in 1943. He reported for Boot Camp a few days later. The family then relocated to Northridge, California.

George served in the Navy during WWII as an Electrician's Mate Third Class on Landing Craft Tank 1302 and 1304 in the South Pacific Theatre. He was based at Subik Bay, Philippines and was involved in the invasion of Borneo. He was Honorably Discharged on May 4, 1946. After the war, George attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago to learn television repair. Work was not steady in electronic repair, so he began a Carpenter's Apprenticeship in the late 1940's. He became a Journeyman Carpenter which was his trade for the next 35 years. In 1953, George built a custom home in Van Nuys, California with the help of family and friends. He lived there with his mother until he met Ilona Julianna Csapo in February, 1957. They were married on September 7, 1957. George and Ilona had three sons, George Charles, Gabriel Emery and Emery Joseph. George's mother lived with the family until she passed away in 1966.

George and Ilona enjoyed hosting parties and family gatherings in their Van Nuys home until he retired in 1983 and the family moved to Cherry Valley, California. He designed and built his second custom home with the help of his wife, Ilona, their three boys, family and friends. George enjoyed gardening, farming and home improvement projects. He was widowed in 1992 when Ilona passed away from cancer. He got through this difficult time in his life by spending time with his sons and joining fraternal organizations in the Beaumont-Banning Pass Area and Hemet-San Jacinto Area. He also looked forward to hosting an annual Haunted Mansion at his home on Halloween. It was always the highlight of Mountain View Avenue. He enjoyed opening his home to visitors and hosted many family gatherings there. He lived in his home in Cherry Valley for 27 years until his passing on June 16, 2011, at Redlands Community Hospital. He passed away due to complications from a broken hip and the discovery of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was 86. George was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

George is survived by his three sons; George Charles (Jennifer) Papp of Oak Glenn, California, Gabriel Emery (Aracely) Papp of Indio, California and Emery Joseph (Janette) Papp of Hemet, California and eight grandchildren; Olivia, Jackie, Carlos, Elena, Julian, Hannah, Emily and Allison.

Visitation, Wednesday, June 22, 2011, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Funeral Service Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 10:00 AM, both at Weaver Mortuary, 1177 Beaumont Ave, Beaumont, California. Graveside Service Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 1:45 PM, Riverside National Cemetery, Staging Area #4, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, California. Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California.