Estell "Kaikis" Popp

Estell (Kaikis)Popp, age 98, of Martins Ferry, Ohio passed peacefully into heaven on August 19, 2025.

Estell was born on May 17, 1927, to the late Michael and Katherine Kaikis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Popp; brother John Kaikis and his wife Shirley; brother-in-law, Chris Hellen; nephew, Michael Hellen; and niece, Debbie Hellen.
Estell graduated from Martin's Ferry High School in 1945 and was employed at the A&P food chain.
When her mother, known as" Katie", passed, Estell and husband Steve, took over and operated the well-known family Kaikis grocery and lottery store located at the 4th St Park entrance.
The store was one of the few locations that sold lottery tickets in those days. People from all over the Ohio Valley came to buy their lottery tickets at the Kaikis store.
Estell was deeply devoted to her community and church family at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Life – Giving Foundation of Martin's Ferry. She found joy attending services and cherished the fellowship of her congregation.

Estell found great solace in the pages of the Bible and reading a good book. She loved collecting recipes and cooking her favorite Greek dishes "Pastitsio", Greek lemon soup, and Romanian cabbage rolls.
She loved spending time watching Ohio State and the Pittsburgh Steelers football games with her friends. Vacation time spent at the cottage at Piedmont Lake with her friends the
"Henry's" and "Scobies" from Canada were special.

Estell loved her family members deeply. She cherished spending time with them on birthdays and holidays. Christmas was special for Estell. it was a time to celebrate Jesus's birthday and give praise and thanks to Him. For Estell, it was also a time to celebrate Christmas with her parents, siblings, children, and friends. The Kaikis family Christmases were always special to Estell; full of love, laughter, festivities, and stories for which she found great joy.
Estell had many special friends. She had strong bonds and cherished time spent with Bob Voyteck , Berry Voyteck and family, Bruce Tatar, Katie Hrovatich, Berry Henry, and special friends Doris and Don Scobie of Canada. This list could go on and on…You knew you were in Estell's heart when you received a phone call or one of her famous cards every year for your birthday or special occasion. Her warmest, kindness, and unwavering love will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.
Left to cherish Estell's memory is her sister Helen Hellen of Louisville, Kentucky; her brother, William Kaikis and his wife Shirley of Gahanna, Ohio; nieces, Darla Kaikis of Blacklick, Ohio and Cathy Hellen of Louisville, Kentucky; nephews, William Kaikis and his wife, Jill of Westerville, Ohio; John Kaikis and his wife Tracy of Louisville Kentucky; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A special thank you goes to Caitlyn (Hellen) Steele, a great niece to Estell, who was instrumental in selflessly coordinating visits across state lines with Estell's siblings which brought so much comfort to the family.

The family also wishes to thank the special people at the Woodlands of Columbus and the Faith and Family Hospice of Gahanna for the wonderful care given to Estell.

Friends may call on Saturday August 23, 2025, from 11am to1pm at Wilson Funeral Home Heslop Chapel 415 Walnut St., Martins ferry Ohio. Trisagion services will be held at 1 pm at the funeral home with Father Constantine Makinos officiating. Graveside services will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be given to Greek Orthodox Church of the Life-Giving
Fountain, 316N. Fifth Street. Martins ferry OH 43935.
To leave online condolences please visit www.wilsonfuneralhomes.com.