James W. Gapske, 77, of 411 Tawas St.,  Alpena, passed away Sunday, October 14, 2007, at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord following an extended illness.

Born May 30, 1930 to Henry and Alta (Hill) Gapske and married Joyce Martin September 15, 1956.  Mr. Gapske served in the US Navy and retired from Great North Foods.  He was a very compassionate, loving person and will be sadly missed.

Mr. Gapske was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, K of C, and VFW Alpena Post 2496.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce; 6 children:  Julie (John) Allen, Michael, Karen (John) Stormer, Jeffrey, Brian, and Cathy (James) Juchartz; 3 granddaughters:  Maegan Allen, Shannon and Kristen Stormer; 2 sisters, Marie (Eugene) Deno, Carol (Don) Lightner.

Mr. Gapske was preceded  in death by 2 brothers:  John and Gerald; 2 sisters, Marge Ruell and Irma Kindt.

Mr. Gapske is at the Bannan Funeral Home where friends may call on Wednesday from 2-8 p.m. with a parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m.   Visitation will continue at St. Anne Catholic Church on Thursday from 11 a.m. until time of funeral mass at noon with Rev. James Kendziorski officiating.  Full military honors will be accorded him at the cemetery at 2:30 p.m. by Alpena VFW Post 2496.

Interment: Holy Cross Cemetery

Memorials: St. Anne Catholic Church Parish Center or Friends Choice