“On November 17, 2022, Charleene Lenore Bechtel Paupa known to her friends and family as Chickie, passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was 97 years old. She was a 17 year resident of Bethel Park, PA, after previously residing in Palatine, IL and Tarpon Springs, FL. Charleene was the mother of three sons, four grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. Despite her large family Charleene always made time for everyone. She always provided support and love for her family. She and her husband Jack worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for their kids.

Charleene was predeceased by her husband of 59 years Joseph A. (Jack) Paupa. and by her sisters Virgina Bechtel Elste (Mrs. Edward Elste) and Jacqueline Bechtel Bloom (Mrs. John Bloom). She is survived by her three sons Joseph A. (Jack) Paupa Jr. and his wife Marcia O’Brien Paupa, Douglas W. Paupa and his wife Kathleen Schrieber Paupa, and Steven C. Paupa. And her four grandchildren, Jessica Paupa Hodge, Jason Paupa, Lisa Paupa Grupp and Jenna Paupa Tricarchi and 11 great-grandchildren – MacKenzie, McKenna, Chase, Caden, Greg, Emma, Nolan, Griffin, AJ, Evelyn and Miles.  Beloved Aunt to Charles Elste, the late Gary Elste, Craig Elste,  Bryan Bloom, and the late Jeffrey Bloom

Charleene was born on October 28, 1925 in Chicago, IL. Her parents were Charles Bechtel and Agnes Kirchherr Bechtel. She graduated from Charles Schurz High School – Chicago in 1943. After graduation she was employed by the Chicago Tribune newspaper. She married her husband Jack Paupa on August 31, 1946 after he returned from the Pacific at the end of World War II. After initially residing with her parents in Chicago, the family moved to Palatine, IL in 1955. Where they lived for 31 years. Charleene was employed as an Executive Secretary at the Jewel Tea Company for 21 years. In 1986 Charleene and Jack retired to Tarpon Springs, FL. Where they lived until Jack passed away in 2005. At which time, Charleene moved to Bethel Park, PA.

Charleene and Jack were active members of the Chicago Northwest Society of the American Turners and of the Arlington Heights Elks Lodge #2048. They spent their summers at their cottage at the Illinois Turner Camp in Algonquin, IL. She enjoyed gardening with her specialty being Orchids. And she was an avid bridge player at the Bethel Park Retirement Center. She was an active member at Christ Lutheran Church in Palatine, St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Tarpon Springs, and Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park, PA.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/charleene-paupa/obituary/

Copy