While sleeping peacefully at his home, Frederick “Fred” Stapel, 88, of Galva, returned to his heavenly home on Thursday, June 27, 2019.
Born in Phillips, WI on February 24, 1931 to Fred and Charlotte (Kasper) Stapel. He loved his childhood up north at the cheese factory and has fond memories of all of his friends and family that live there. His family moved to Toulon, IL when he was 12 years old. He went into the Air Force and became an aviation mechanic. This sense of tinkering with anything that needed fixing, continued until his passing. He worked at Caterpillar and at Kewanee Hospital. He was a devoted father to his children and proud grandpa to his 11 grandchildren and a friend to all that met him. He loved parks and would take walks – he said, that was his way of remembering what is important – priorities.
His Christian faith was the center of who he was and tried living as an example of Christ. His smile infectious laugh and sweet and caring personality made you feel comfortable and feel just a little better of a person by knowing him. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Kewanee. He is dearly missed by his family, but they celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator. His grandchildren fondly remember ‘saying prayers with Granpa’.
Fred is survived by five children, Milton (Karen) Stapel, Kewanee, Evelyn (David) Leedy, Diamond, MO, Myrene Carper, Sheffield, IL, Drinda (Mike) Milinac, Genoa, IL, and DeVicka (Bill) Wilhite, South Bend, IN.
Eleven grandchildren, Andy (Katie) Yarger and Layne Stapel, Johnny and Hannah Guthrie, Justin (Kaurie) and Missie Carper, Ireland, McLaren and Tristen Milinac and Will and Kodie Wilhite; and one great granddaughter, Sarah King. Previous wife, Vanda Dergins of Buda, IL. A sister, June Lampson of Tacoma, WA; a brother-in-law, Orville King, Toulon, IL; a sister-in-law, Audrey Stapel of Toulon; many nieces and nephews; a special godson and nephew, Jerry Jr. (Cindy) Stapel of Toulon. He was preceded in death by one son, Brent Stapel; his parents; sister, Virginia King; brothers, Don, Willie and Jerry Stapel.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Faith Lutheran Church. Reverend Paul Weber will officiate. Burial will be in the Hopeland Cemetery, Buda. Military Rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 am, Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at the church. Memorials may be made to the Faith Lutheran Church. Please leave an online condolence for Fred’s family at www.schuenemantumblesonfuneralhome.com.

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