Gary Popke Obituary

Gary L. Popke

Sep 10, 1943 - Feb 10, 2026

Sandusky

Gary Lynn Popke, 82, of Sandusky, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, February 10, 2026, surrounded by family after a long and hard-fought battle from the effects of a spinal cord injury in 2009.

Gary was born in Sandusky, September 10, 1943, son of the late Charles G. and Eileen (Meyer) Popke Jr. He graduated from Perkins High School in 1962.

He worked for Ohio Edison as a lineman and supervisor, retiring in 1998 after 33 years of service. In retirement, he worked several jobs, but his favorite was with Corso's Perennials, driving a semi to deliver flowers all over the state and beyond. In addition, he worked for Perkins Police Department part-time for 20 years and even a stint with Perkins Fire Department. Gary was an excellent swimmer and worked with Perkins Scuba Search and Rescue in the 60's. Gary was also the longtime starter/flagman at Sandusky Speedway, a job he and Elaine shared.

Gary's favorite times were spent with his children, grandchildren, and family, enjoying camping trips and family get-togethers, and attending racing events and motorcycling. He loved tinkering, fixing things with his father and brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Susan (Humphreys) Popke; children, Jaydee (J. Kenneth) Gamper and Jodee (Mark) Gennari, with former wife, Constance (Tommas) Popke, Eric Popke, and Lynn (Chad) Posey; grandchildren, Ryan Gamper, Bryce Gamper, Amanda Gennari, Courtney (Donavon) Daniels, Bradley (Alexis) Gennari, Mackenzie Popke, Gage Popke, Makayla Popke, Gavin Popke, Rylee Popke, and Autumn Posey; two great-grandchildren, Jetson Gennari and Cohen Gennari. He is also survived by his siblings, Kareen Voight, Cheryl Winfield, Charles Popke III, Cathie Hasenflue, Michael Popke, Kenneth Popke and Craig Popke.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul and Joseph; and his beloved dogs, Jennifer, Hallie and Lexie.

Family services will be private. Burial will be at Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron, OH. Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting family with these arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Back to the Wild, P.O. Box 423, Castalia, OH 44824; Erie County Dog Pound, 2900 Columbus Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870; Humane Society of Erie County, 1911 Superior St., Sandusky, OH 44870 or Perkins Fire Department, 3107 Campbell St., Sandusky, OH 44870, in Gary's memory.

Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com.