James C. Pappas Jr., 75, of Butler passed away Sunday evening at his home following a lingering illness.

Born in Butler on June 11, 1934, he was the son of the late James C. and Rosalie Crouch Pappas Sr.

He was a retired melt shop supervisor from Armco Butler Works, where he was employed for 36 years.

He was an avid fisherman and golfer.

He was a member of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Finan Pappas, to whom he was married for 56 years; three sons, James C. Pappas III and his wife, Carolyn, of Oklahoma, Michael J. Pappas of Florida and Thomas G. Pappas and his wife, Karen, of Butler; two daughters, Kimberly A. Ferguson and her husband, Raymond, of Butler and Christine M. Swartwout and her husband, Robert, of Butler; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

<B>PAPPAS</B> — There was no visitation. A Mass of Christian burial for James C. Pappas Jr., who died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, was celebrated Wednesday at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian. Burial took place in Calvary Cemetery.The family requests memorial donations to Butler Catholic School or to St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church.Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of <B>Martin Funeral Home</B>, and more information is available at www.martinfh.net.