George Tappy
Rosewood Heights |
George R. Tappy, 86, passed away at 3:15 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016 at Eunice C. Smith Home in Alton.
Born Nov. 28, 1929 in Parke County, Indiana, he was the son of George H. and Bernice (Baker) Tappy. After the death of his father in 1942, his family moved to Wood River.
George married Norma Jean Childers Sept. 17, 1950 in Bethalto. She died March 17, 1990. He married Joyce (Gowin) Hart Oct. 12, 1991. She survives.
A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, he served in the 503rd Military Police at Ft. Bragg, N.C. He worked as a carpenter and superintendent for G.H. Sternberg Construction in Granite City and retired in 1994 from Helmkamp Construction Co. He was a member of the Granite City Carpenter’s Union. George was an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Rosewood Heights since 1957, serving as trustee and Sunday school superintendent. He enjoyed camping, traveling, golf, and bird hunting. Most of all, he enjoyed his family, grandchildren, and his church family.
In addition to his wife Joyce, he is survived by a daughter, Karen (Tom) Martin of Bethalto; a son, Michael G. (Lori) Tappy of Wood River; two stepsons Tad (Yvonne) Hart of Maryville and Jason (Marissa) Hart of Shiloh, Ill.; granddaughters, Amy Tappy, Amber Tappy, Nealy (Josh) Budde, Brianne (Jimmy) Bourne, Kara Martin, and Megan (Ryan) Parker; great grandchildren, Maddox, Jaxson, Hunter, Wyatt and Colton; step grandchildren Samantha Lile, Eli, Zoe, Gary and Elaine Hart; two sisters, Colleen McCleland of Wood River and Madeline Bradstreet of East Alton; sisters-in-law, Janet Williams and Marilyn (Harry) Smith; brothers-in-law, Marion Garrigus, Raymond Gowin, Rev. Don Gowin, Wilbur (Meda) Gowin, Robert (Ann) Gowin, and Ronald (Pam) Gowin; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his father, mother, and first wife, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Kay Garrigus and Marveline Knipping.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Rosewood Heights, where Pastor Daryl Fansler will officiate services at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto, with full military honors.
Memorials may be given to the church or to the Gideons International.
Online guestbook and information at www.paynicfh.com
Paynic Home for Funerals
