Irvin Kappler Jr.

Irvin Kappler, Jr., 83, of Manchester, passed away on October 4, 2021 after a short illness.

He was preceded in death by Irvin, Sr. (father), Esther (mother) and Marion Ryan (sister). He is survived by his wife, Linda (Edmonds), sons Kevin (Jessica) and Kurt (Lori), brothers Donnell Valenti (June) and Gene Kappler (Judy), and his nephew who grew up next door and was like a son to him, Rusty Ryan (Willi). Irv is also survived by seven wonderful grandchildren each of whom were his pride and joy-Katie Martinez (Javi), Claire, Abby, Patrick, Anna, Sadie Jane, and Eric Kappler. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.

Irv was born on March 23, 1938. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1956, he went on to proudly serve two years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following an honorable discharge as a Corporal, he went on to earn his education degree while playing football at Missouri State University. A three-year letterman at center, he was co-captain of the team in 1962. During this same time, he met his wife Linda and they enjoyed 57 years of love and joy together. Irv also received his Masters in Education from Washington University.

After college graduation, Irv found success during his 32-year career in education/administration along with coaching high school athletes for over three decades at Dubourg, Vianney, Affton, and Fox High Schools. Irv founded the Vianney High School wrestling program in 1966 and is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-inducted in 2009 for his many years of officiating high school wrestling. He was an active member of the St. Louis Wrestling Official’s Association, officiated 15 Missouri State Wrestling Championships, along with being named the St. Louis Wrestling Official's Association Official of the Year on two different occasions. Irv was inducted into the St. Louis High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2017.

An avid golfer, Irv devoted a great deal of his retirement on the many beautiful area links and usually included a visit to a course when traveling with Linda.

Always a teacher at heart, many benefited from Irv’s advice of what “not to do” based on his ornery childhood and his love of motivational quotes that never failed to inspire. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

Services: Funeral from the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Tuesday, 9:45 a.m. to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Manchester for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Affton Education Foundation Jim Hoots Scholarship. Visitation Monday 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit Schrader.com.