George F. Papen

DOVER - George F. Papen, of Dover, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Kent General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Born on Aug. 25, 1908, he was honored by his family and friends at a joyful 100th birthday celebration on Aug. 25, 2008. He was born in Passaic County, N.J., son of the late John E. and Elizabeth C. Papen. At the age of 14, with his parents and two brothers, he moved to a small farm in Somerset County, N.J., where he began to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a farmer. In 1952, after 30 years at that location, he moved his family and his farming operation to Dover, where Papen Brothers Farm grew into a thriving farming business under his management and direction. Now known as Papen Farms, Inc. it continues to be operated by several generations of the Papen family. His innovative farming methods, inventions, techniques, and unwavering dedication and hard work were responsible for its continued growth and success for over 86 years. His reverence for the land he farmed, and his careful stewardship of it, brought him admiration and respect from agribusiness organizations throughout the country. He was dedicated not only to his own farm but also to preserving agriculture in the State of Delaware, where he was recognized as a strong and vital supporter of the farming community. He was a man of faith who had deep gratitude for his many blessings, a large and loving family, which he loved beyond measure, and the beautiful land on which he was privileged to live and work his entire life. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a daughter, Marjorie Papen Voshell; a granddaughter, Linda Lee Walton; a brother, John H. Papen; and his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary E. Papen, who died in November, 2005. He is survived by two sons and their wives, Richard and June Papen, and James and Colleen Papen, all of Dover; three daughters and their husbands, Mary and John Walton of Magnolia, Evelyn and Bob Cuthrell of Dover, and Janet and Dwight Meyer of Magnolia, a son-in-law, Harry Voshell and his wife Janice of Dover; a brother, Howard W. Papen of Dover; 17 grandchildren, Carol Papen Traegler, Kathryn Papen Maris, Kenneth Papen, Gregory Papen, John Walton Jr., Lisa Walton Cosmos, Laura Walton Luckenbach, James Walton, Roy Voshell, Renee Voshell Simpson, Robin Voshell Romesburg, Amy Cuthrell Hudson, Robert Cuthrell, Daniel Papen, Kevin Papen, Kimberly Meyer Holston, and Kristin Meyer Brown; 27 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Papen was a member of Wyoming United Methodist Church, the Delaware Farm Bureau, the Delaware State Grange, and was a former member of the board of directors of Kent General Hospital. Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday in Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Wyoming United Methodist Church, 107 Broad St., Wyoming. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Dover. Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Wyoming United Methodist Church, 112 Broad St., Wyoming, DE 19934; or to Wyoming-Camden Round Table Club, 108 Blue Beach Drive, Dover, DE 19904. Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.