Donald Francis Appel, age 89, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016.
Don was born and lived most of his life in Joliet, Illinois until 2000 when he and Floreine purchased a condo and fully retired in Largo, Florida.
As a young man, to help his parents financially, he left high school during his junior year. He proudly served in the United States Army, entering service on November 13, 1944. He achieved the rank of Staff Sgt. during World War II, serving in Central Europe for the 171st Army Postal Unit.
Don was awarded many Medals, Stars and Ribbons. He was Honorably Discharged on August 21, 1946. When the war ended Don returned to Joliet and was employed with the U.S. Postal Service.
He worked for 39 years with the U.S.P.S., serving the Joliet community. After retiring, Don worked for 10 years for The First National Bank of Joliet.
He was a member of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Largo, Florida. Donald was a very dedicated, caring and always put his loved ones first. He was a great father and grandfather.
Don was a distinguished member of numerous community organizations including a life time V.F.W. member with V.F.W. Post #4256, Madeira Beach, Florida, V.F.W. Cantigny Post #367 Joliet, Illinois, the American Legion, the Holy Name Society, Joliet Knights of Columbus #382 and St. Matthew's Young at Hearts Club.
He devoted his life to his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Floreine Therese (nee Hickey) Appel; his sons, Ron (Ruth) Appel of Dunedin, Florida; Gregg P. (Mary Ellen) Appel of Seminole, Florida; his grandchildren; Michelle (Mark) Day of Clearwater, Florida; Eileen M. Appel of Caseyville; Jennifer Appel of Elwood; Donald F. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; John P. & Natalie E. (nee Vida) Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; Emily M. Appel of Columbia and his step-grandchildren; Steve & Karen Vitanovec of Joliet; Noah J. Levine of Dania Beach, Florida; Gabriel E. (Gabe) Levine of Seminole, Florida; and LaShanda Walker.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Frank P. & Rose C. (nee Zettinger) Appel of Joliet; his grandson, Jeffrey R. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; and 4 great-grandchildren.
Internment: Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo, Florida
Don was born and lived most of his life in Joliet, Illinois until 2000 when he and Floreine purchased a condo and fully retired in Largo, Florida.
As a young man, to help his parents financially, he left high school during his junior year. He proudly served in the United States Army, entering service on November 13, 1944. He achieved the rank of Staff Sgt. during World War II, serving in Central Europe for the 171st Army Postal Unit.
Don was awarded many Medals, Stars and Ribbons. He was Honorably Discharged on August 21, 1946. When the war ended Don returned to Joliet and was employed with the U.S. Postal Service.
He worked for 39 years with the U.S.P.S., serving the Joliet community. After retiring, Don worked for 10 years for The First National Bank of Joliet.
He was a member of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Largo, Florida. Donald was a very dedicated, caring and always put his loved ones first. He was a great father and grandfather.
Don was a distinguished member of numerous community organizations including a life time V.F.W. member with V.F.W. Post #4256, Madeira Beach, Florida, V.F.W. Cantigny Post #367 Joliet, Illinois, the American Legion, the Holy Name Society, Joliet Knights of Columbus #382 and St. Matthew's Young at Hearts Club.
He devoted his life to his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Floreine Therese (nee Hickey) Appel; his sons, Ron (Ruth) Appel of Dunedin, Florida; Gregg P. (Mary Ellen) Appel of Seminole, Florida; his grandchildren; Michelle (Mark) Day of Clearwater, Florida; Eileen M. Appel of Caseyville; Jennifer Appel of Elwood; Donald F. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; John P. & Natalie E. (nee Vida) Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; Emily M. Appel of Columbia and his step-grandchildren; Steve & Karen Vitanovec of Joliet; Noah J. Levine of Dania Beach, Florida; Gabriel E. (Gabe) Levine of Seminole, Florida; and LaShanda Walker.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Frank P. & Rose C. (nee Zettinger) Appel of Joliet; his grandson, Jeffrey R. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; and 4 great-grandchildren.
Internment: Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo, Florida
Donald Francis Appel, age 89, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016.
Don was born and lived most of his life in Joliet, Illinois until 2000 when he and Floreine purchased a condo and fully retired in Largo, Florida.
As a young man, to help his parents financially, he left high school during his junior year. He proudly served in the United States Army, entering service on November 13, 1944. He achieved the rank of Staff Sgt. during World War II, serving in Central Europe for the 171st Army Postal Unit.
Don was awarded many Medals, Stars and Ribbons. He was Honorably Discharged on August 21, 1946. When the war ended Don returned to Joliet and was employed with the U.S. Postal Service.
He worked for 39 years with the U.S.P.S., serving the Joliet community. After retiring, Don worked for 10 years for The First National Bank of Joliet.
He was a member of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Largo, Florida. Donald was a very dedicated, caring and always put his loved ones first. He was a great father and grandfather.
Don was a distinguished member of numerous community organizations including a life time V.F.W. member with V.F.W. Post #4256, Madeira Beach, Florida, V.F.W. Cantigny Post #367 Joliet, Illinois, the American Legion, the Holy Name Society, Joliet Knights of Columbus #382 and St. Matthew's Young at Hearts Club.
He devoted his life to his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Floreine Therese (nee Hickey) Appel; his sons, Ron (Ruth) Appel of Dunedin, Florida; Gregg P. (Mary Ellen) Appel of Seminole, Florida; his grandchildren; Michelle (Mark) Day of Clearwater, Florida; Eileen M. Appel of Caseyville; Jennifer Appel of Elwood; Donald F. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; John P. & Natalie E. (nee Vida) Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; Emily M. Appel of Columbia and his step-grandchildren; Steve & Karen Vitanovec of Joliet; Noah J. Levine of Dania Beach, Florida; Gabriel E. (Gabe) Levine of Seminole, Florida; and LaShanda Walker.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Frank P. & Rose C. (nee Zettinger) Appel of Joliet; his grandson, Jeffrey R. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; and 4 great-grandchildren.
Internment: Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo, Florida
Don was born and lived most of his life in Joliet, Illinois until 2000 when he and Floreine purchased a condo and fully retired in Largo, Florida.
As a young man, to help his parents financially, he left high school during his junior year. He proudly served in the United States Army, entering service on November 13, 1944. He achieved the rank of Staff Sgt. during World War II, serving in Central Europe for the 171st Army Postal Unit.
Don was awarded many Medals, Stars and Ribbons. He was Honorably Discharged on August 21, 1946. When the war ended Don returned to Joliet and was employed with the U.S. Postal Service.
He worked for 39 years with the U.S.P.S., serving the Joliet community. After retiring, Don worked for 10 years for The First National Bank of Joliet.
He was a member of St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Largo, Florida. Donald was a very dedicated, caring and always put his loved ones first. He was a great father and grandfather.
Don was a distinguished member of numerous community organizations including a life time V.F.W. member with V.F.W. Post #4256, Madeira Beach, Florida, V.F.W. Cantigny Post #367 Joliet, Illinois, the American Legion, the Holy Name Society, Joliet Knights of Columbus #382 and St. Matthew's Young at Hearts Club.
He devoted his life to his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.
Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Floreine Therese (nee Hickey) Appel; his sons, Ron (Ruth) Appel of Dunedin, Florida; Gregg P. (Mary Ellen) Appel of Seminole, Florida; his grandchildren; Michelle (Mark) Day of Clearwater, Florida; Eileen M. Appel of Caseyville; Jennifer Appel of Elwood; Donald F. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; John P. & Natalie E. (nee Vida) Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; Emily M. Appel of Columbia and his step-grandchildren; Steve & Karen Vitanovec of Joliet; Noah J. Levine of Dania Beach, Florida; Gabriel E. (Gabe) Levine of Seminole, Florida; and LaShanda Walker.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Frank P. & Rose C. (nee Zettinger) Appel of Joliet; his grandson, Jeffrey R. Appel of Pinellas Park, Florida; and 4 great-grandchildren.
Internment: Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, Largo, Florida
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