Stephen J. Papandrea

Stephen J. Papandrea, aka “Happy Pappy”, 77, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at his home. Steve was born August 24, 1945, in Elkhart to Joseph and Josephine (Pugliese) Papandrea. He married his high school sweetheart Martha Croxall on November 30th, 1963, and were blessed with two sons Rocco and Stephen Jr.

Steve graduated from Elkhart High School Class of 1963 and put himself through college earning an Associate’s Degree from South Bend College of Commerce in 1968. Steve was a very astute businessman first owning and operating a RV and truck cap company in the early 1970’s, Four State Industries.  Following a downturn in the RV industry and closing Four States, Steve diversified and purchased an old gas station on the corner of Cassopolis Street and County Road 6.  He developed the property into a successful package liquor store rightfully named the Liquor Station.   On the same property, he also started a bar/restaurant called The Office Lounge.  Steve was also involved in several real estate transactions throughout his career and continued to flip houses after his retirement from the Liquor Station in 2018. 

Although Steve was an extremely hard worker, he also enjoyed life to the fullest. Hence the nickname Happy Pappy.  He loved being in the outdoors and traveling, but his true passion was fishing and spending time on his Lake Erie boat, The Fast Track.  This passion was most enjoyed for over 20 plus years with his soulmate and love-of-his-life, Susan Brown.   

Steve so loved spending time with his family and friends (especially if they were on his boat with him).  Surviving are his sons, Rocco Papandrea, II of Elkhart, Stephen (Jodie) Papandrea, Jr. of Vandalia, MI, grandchildren Antonia (Zane) Yon of Elkhart, Elainna Papandrea of Vandalia and Maria Papandrea of Vandalia, and his sister Elaine Swartz of Elkhart. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Rocco Papandrea, first wife Martha Croxall, brother-in-law Jack Swartz, and Susan Brown.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am, Tuesday February 7, 2023, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1108 South Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516, where friends may visit 1 hour before mass at the church.  Burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery, Elkhart. Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 is assisting the Papandrea family. Online condolences may be left at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

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