Henry grew up on a farm and attended rural schools near Brenham, Texas. He left home to work as a welder in Brown Shipyard and then joined the Army in June of 1942. He served in combat in New Guinea and the Philippines with the 6th Infantry and received Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and other citations and medals, then served 3 years in the National Guard in Brenham, Texas after World War II ended. He married Delores Newsom in 1946 and they had two sons, Henry and Howard. In 1957 they moved to Austin, Texas where he worked as a machinist until 2002.
Henry worked as a volunteer at the Austin VA Clinic after retirement for 10 years. He was a member of the Chapter 1919 Military Order of the Purple Heart and a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas.
Henry is pre-deceased by parents Adolph and Gertrude Papke, sister, Hattie Papke and Kathy Swallow and brother Edward Papke. He is survived by wife Delores Papke, son Henry Papke and wife Shelia, son Howard Papke and wife Cathy Papke, grandsons Andrew Papke and wife Janine Papke, David Papke and wife Cheri Papke and great granddaughter Hannah Papke, and granddaughter Luci Papke and life partner Brittany Yankovich and nieces and nephews and their families. Also left to mourn Henry’s loss is lifelong military friend Fred Reddick. Henry’s family thanks his friend Jim Brown and his loving and helpful neighbors for their support and prayers. Special thanks to his faithful minister, Tim Anderson and all the members of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 16, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 409 W. Ben White Blvd., Austin, TX 78704.
In Lieu of flowers, please perform a simple act of kindness for someone. Donations in Henry’s name may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas or the Chapter 1919 Military Order of the Purple Heart.
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