CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Gerald Duane Popour, 75, of Chesterfield Township, Mich., died July 24, 2012, after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born April 17, 1937, in Nahma, the son of Fred and Elsie (Bennette) Popour.
Gerald served in the U.S. Army for 24 years and was a veteran of Korea and Vietnam. Sergeant Major Popour served the U.S. Army training soldiers, supplying soldiers, recruiting soldiers, and serving their personnel needs. He continued his career as the Military Housing Manager at Selfridge, Mich., Air National Guard.
"Sarge" loved to garden and read historical and biographical books.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Ann (Johnson) Popour; his children, Lynn (Jerry) Fennell, Bob (Patty) Popour, and Jackie (Jay) Ruhlman who called him the best dad in the world. Gerald is also survived by his grandchildren, Jim, Bill, Eric, Jayson, Josh, Heather, Marc, and Jacob; great-grandchild, Garin; his sister, Eileen Ritter; and his brother, Jim.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Fred "Junior"Popour.
Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m., Monday, July 30, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Nahma.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Monday at the church with Father Antony Lukka officiating.
Burial with military honors will follow in the Moss Lake Cemetery in Nahma Township.
Memorial donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to the Nahma Township Historical Society. The Messier-Broullire Funeral Home of Manistique is assisting the family with the arrangements.