Carl J. Paplham

Carl J. Paplham, 61, of Kewaunee passed away Sunday July 30, 2017 after a short but very brave and courageous battle with cancer with his wife by his side.

Carl was employed at Kewaunee Fabrications for 42 years. His love of the job and people produced endless stories and friends. He had a memory like no other that allowed him to effectively and quickly do his job so he could say hello to his co workers and visit his second love, the coffee machine. He could tell you any number you needed to know whether it be from 25 years ago or yesterday. His great mind could fix anything. All it took was a minute and a look over. He lived by the motto "if there's a will, there's a way" and he would find that way. Carl's love for farming was life long. From growing up on his home farm, the work ethic on the farm styed with him until the end. Carl didn't stay on the home farm, he became a very talented welder and fabricator. The farmer in Carl called him out to help two local farms. For many, many years Carl helped Dave and Nancy Smidle from day to day chores to fabrication and repair. When Dave and Nancy retired from farming carl couldn't stay away very long. Carl came back to help his nephew, Greg and Tammy Paplham on his home farm where he grew up on.Carl did day to day chores and field work, but he especially enjoyed working with his cousin, Jim Cherveny in the shop fabricating, fixing and rebuilding equipment. Meanwhile, Carl still worked a full time job at Kewaunee Fabrications. The hard working farmer stayed with Carl his whole life.

Carl will be deeply missed by his wife Jennifer, and his 5 children: Jordyn, Brandi (Jevin), Jaycey, Reyann, and his little girl Dekotah. He is also survived by his mother, Gladys Johanek. He is further survived by a brother and sister in law: Ronald and Kaye and their children Greg (Tammy), Jeff, and his special God daughter: Courtney (Ted) Mueller. Sister: June (Nolan) Karnopp and their children Kraig and Troy (Theresa), Sister: Cindy Konop (significant other Joe Dax) and her children Nicole and Krissy, Sister: Angie (Brian) Schulz and their children Brianna (FiancAC. Nic) and Ashley (Brandon) Wagner. A special brother in law Richard (Donna) Flaherty and children Sonya (Scott) Wiegand, Julie (Rob ) Serbent, Wanda Flaherty, and Lori (Peter) Jelly, brother-in-law: Eric (significant other Deanna) Parkman and children Eric (Brittany), Conner, Ben, and Emma. Sister in law Jessica (Jeremy) Burrow and children Chance and Ryker. Father in law Burton (Barbara) Parkman and mother in law Donna (Ken) Schroeder. Very special cousin and friend Russ (Linda) Shillin. Numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his Father: Gilbert, Step-Father: Dan Johanek, Great Nephew: Cody Paplham.

Carl was a man who knew many and disliked none. He said hello to everyone and if they responded there was surely a conversation to follow. He always had a story, always. His gift to talk was like no other. We could stop to drop something by a friend and it would turn into a 5 hour story telling session by campfire. His stories will live on in us forever and surely keep us chuckling.

Friends may call after 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 at Buchanan Funeral Home, Kewaunee. A parish wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues on Saturday after 9:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church until the time of services. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 with burial of the urn following at Forest Hill Cemetery in the Town of Carlton. A funeral Lunch will be served at Lakehaven Hall following the services.

I would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Tahsildar, Dr. James, Lynn Kaanen and the entire Bellin Cancer team, his favorite nurse Mercedes who he jokingly renamed Wednesday and the Bellin Hospital 4th floor medical unit, Unity Hospice and Unity residence, especially nurses Jenn, Gwen, Heather, and Sandy, your care and compassion is remarkable, Kewaunee Fabrications and all their employees, Deacon Chuck and Eileen, the Walecka family for help with the house and chores, Dawn and Jason Valenta, Joanna and Gary Caflisch, and our entire support system of family and friends. Whether it was a text message, phone call, bringing me food and clothes, or a visit, the care, compassion, and concern we were shown in the last 7 weeks was exceptional and will never be forgotten.

Carl, not a day will go by that your family and friends won't think of you. You were truly an exceptional husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and coworker. You will be missed beyond words. You will live on in every aspect of our lives forever. I hope you didn't get in trouble too much with dad for your childhood shenanigans and have found peace with him. I'm sure the farming stories are endless up there. Rest easy my chief, rest easy. Your little Fred, Red and Ed and I will keep things going here until we meet again.