Walter J. Kappel, age 93, of Friendship, Wisconsin passed
away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 4, 2008.
Walter died of kidney failure at the Moundview Memorial
Hospital & Clinics in Friendship.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday,
April 9, 2008 at the Roseberry's Funeral Home in Friendship,
Wisconsin. Pastor Richard Church, Walter�s Grandson, will
officiate. Interment will be at the Mt. Repose Cemetery,
Friendship, Wisconsin. Military rites will be offered at the
graveside service by the Adams VFW Post #6279; the Adams
American Legion Red Cloud Post #250; and the Grand Marsh
American Legion Snyder-Richardson Post #273.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Roseberry's
Funeral Home and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time
of service.
Walter was born May 24, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois to
Johann and Elisabeth (Karner) Kappel. He attended schools in
Chicago; the Moundview School in the town of Preston and
Tilden Technical High School, Chicago. Walter joined
Civilian Conservation Corps in April of 1935 serving one
year at Long Lake, Wisconsin.
Walter was drafted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in April of
1942, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He earned the
following medals and commendations: Distinguished Flying
Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Asiatic Pacific Theatre
Medal with two Battle Stars, American Campaign Medal,
Victory Medal, and, most proudly, a commendation from
General Hap Arnold for 30 days detached service. Walter
attended Las Vegas Army Gunnery School, Phase Training in
B-24 Heavy Bombers, and flew 50 missions as Flight Engineer
Gunner. He graduated 3rd in his class from
Instructors Indoctrination Unit in Galveston, Texas and was
assigned to Pueblo Air Force Base as an instructor,
qualified in B-24 and B-17 aircraft. He also flew test
flights at Wright Patterson Field. Walter was honorably
discharged October 7, 1945 as a Staff Sergeant. Walter was a
life member of VFW Post #6279 and American Legion Post #250,
serving as Adjutant for 27 years.
He married Barbara Adella Hollman on April 15, 1944 in
Galveston, TX. Following WWII, they made their home in
Chicago, IL until 1953 when they moved to Friendship, where
Walter and Barbara built their own home. They also planted
5000 trees in 1953 on their property, much of which is now a
State Natural Area. Walter was a true patriot, naturalist,
woodsman, beekeeper and avid gardener. He was a regular
contributor to Letters to the Editor and the Looking Back
column of the Times-Reporter.
Walter worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, in
Chicago, as a brakeman and conductor for 30 years, retiring
in 1976. He was a member of the Chicago & Northwestern
Retirees Club.
Memorials may be directed to the VFW or the American
Legion�s scholarship program.
Walter was preceded in death by: His wife Barbara; his
parents, his Brother Adolph Kappel; granddaughter, Vicky
(Koehler) Moore and a great-granddaughter Lydia Elise
Hachtel.
Survivors: