Richard S. “Dick” Pastula, 90, of Houghton Lake passed away on Wednesday October 11, 2023 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
Dick was born on August 23, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan to Stanley and Helen (Wojtas) Pastula. He graduated from St. Alphonsus High School in Dearborn, and later received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Detroit. Dick served 10 years as a Sgt in the National Guard. On September 17, 1955 in Detroit, Dick was married to Lenore A. Plewa. He spent his working years as a bureaucrat for the State of Michigan. He served on the Senate Republican Staff, Administrative Aide to Governor William G. Milliken, Department of Labor Director Governor’s Special Grants, Department of Commerce Director Community Growth Alliance, Michigan Youth Corp, Project Self Reliance and the Michigan Jobs Commission Director Community Development Block Grant Program. He was Treasurer and Board Member of the 17th Congressional District in Detroit. He was active in his Williamston community as Treasurer and Executive Director of Williamston Track Improvement Committee, and Treasurer of Williamston Historical Society. The couple then moved from Williamston to Houghton Lake 30 years ago and Dick became active in his new community as a Roscommon Township Trustee, Secretary and founding member of the Houghton Lake Improvement Board, and Secretary/Treasurer and founding member of the Houghton Lake Ambulance Authority. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Houghton Lake Merchants Association, Houghton Lake Elks, Michigan Economic Developers Association, Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, Muskegon River Watershed Association, and the National Lake Manager Association. He received many accolades over his years of community service including, Houghton Lake Rotary Citizen of the Year, Houghton Lake Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award, Williamston Community Schools Community Service Award, Michigan Association of Regions Outstanding Service Award, and Michigan Republican Party State Service Award.
Surviving Mr. Pastula are his loving wife of 68 years, Lenore Pastula of Houghton Lake; son, Thomas & Cindy Pastula of St. Johns; two daughters, Anne & Duane Reimink of Grand Rapids, and Lynne & Gregg Golden of Warren; five grandchildren, Laura Pastula, David Pastula, Sarah Acree, Erin Golden and Ryan Golden, sister, Suzanne Bell of FL, Joan Palmer, sister-in-law; several nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Gerald Pastula and Robert Pastula and two brothers-in-law Michael Pleva and Julius Palmer.
Mass of Christian Burial for Richard S. Pastula will be conducted at 12:00pm, Tuesday October 17, 2023 from Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Prudenville with Fr. Peter Eke officiating. Internment will be in Roscommon Township Cemetery, Houghton Lake. Visitation will be held on Tuesday October 17, 2023 from 10:30am to 12:00pm at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church with Rosary to be recited by the Knights of Columbus at 10:45am. Memorial contributions in memory of Dick are asked to be directed to the Roscommon County Food Bank, 725 S. Loxley Road, Houghton Lake, MI. 48629 or Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 4390 Conner St, Detroit, MI 48215. Christler Funeral Home, Houghton Lake Chapel is serving the family. Condolences can be sent to the family online at www.christler-holdship.com
