Stanley L. Lapekas

Stanley Lewis Lapekas of Portage, woke up alive on April 8, 2021 in Heaven on the "Best Day of My Life". Stanley was born June 30, 1924 in Decatur, Michigan, the son of Joseph and Wilma Michalek Lapekas. Stan was one of eleven children and lived on a farm in Decatur, where he worked in the fields helping raise peppermint, onions and celery. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1942. On October 4, 1945 he was married to Betty Meyer and they had five children. He was employed for 35 years by Consumers Power company, now Consumers Energy Co. with 31 years in Battle Creek and 4 Years in the Kalamazoo Division from which he retired on September 1, 1980. On March 18, 1977 Stanley was married to Arleen (Carr) Wagaman. Together they owned and operated Lapekas Tours in Portage, Michigan from 1981-1999.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Betty on June 15, 1972. He was also preceded in death by his parents Joseph Lapekas Sr. and Wilma of Decatur, son Richard Allan of Battle Creek and brothers Stephen (Sally) Lapekas of Pompano Beach, Florida, Joseph Jr. (Irene) Lapekas of Kalamazoo, MI, Theodore (Gwen) Lapekas of Decatur, Michigan, Edward (Elizabeth) Lapekas of Battle Creek and Frank (Dorothy) Lapekas of Aurora, Colorado and sisters Mary Lapekas of Chicago, Illinois, Helen (Edward) Kennedy of Berwyn, Illinois, Adeline (Fred) Timms of Addison, Illinois, Margaret (Edward) Butkus of Lombard, Illinois and Agnes Goveia of Orlando, Florida.

Stanley is survived by his wife, Arleen and his children, Gary Edward (Deborah) Lapekas of Battle Creek, Michigan, Stanley Robert Lapekas with long-time friend Robin Levondosky of Lansing, Carole Ann (Dennis) Sheridan of Westminster, Colorado and Joyce (Arlene) Lapekas-Joy of Olathe, Kansas and 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. Also surviving are his stepchildren, Annette Corrine (Jon) Pellowe of Portage, Darrell Robert (Beth) Wagaman of Kalamazoo and Dwight Everett (Angela) Wagaman of Grand Rapids, Michigan, 8 step-grandchildren and 13 step great grandchildren.

Friends will be received on Friday April 23, 2021 from 5-7 PM for visitation at the First Reformed Church of Portage, 7905 South Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002. Funeral Services are Saturday April 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM with a visitation at 10:00AM with Pastor Clayton Smith officiating. Memorial contributions may be made out to the First Reformed Church of Portage or the charity of your choice. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, 2435 West Territorial Road, Battle Creek on Saturday, April 24th at 2:45 p.m. Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Condolences can be left at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.