Andrew Joseph Kappel

Andy, 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday, March 16, 2008, at Specialty Hospital of Mid America. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 pm Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO where the rosary will be prayed at 5:00pm and again from 11:00-12:00 noon on Wednesday at St. Peter's Church, 6415 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation on Wednesday at noon. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Andy was born March 29, 1916 and was a life long resident of Kansas City, MO until his move to Brighton Gardens of Prairie Village, KS this past year. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel School and graduated from De La Salle High School in 1933. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, January 17, 1942 and served as a member of the 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged on November 6, 1945 as a Staff Sergeant. In 1977 a group of nine former squadron members decided to start gathering for annual reunions. These reunions became quite the social event, traveling all over the country, visiting an Air Base in each host city. Andy played host to several reunions, the last being held in Kansas City in October of 2005. He had maintained perfect attendance at all reunions until this past year when the group held it's final reunion in Dallas, TX. Andy began his career in the furniture business at Davidson's in downtown Kansas City, MO. He later joined Duff & Repp in 1955 where he became the head of the Interior Design Department until the company closed in the early 70's. He relocated to Edward Keith Interiors to continue his profession until 1981 when he decided to "retire" from 9 to 5 and do free lance designing. In recent years Andy was a proud member of "The Dalton Gang" at Dalton's Interiors. He was well known in the Kansas City area for creating beautiful home decor for the Annual Parade of Homes as well as participating in some of the early Designer Show Homes for the Kansas City Symphony. Andy was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church, as well as the St. Peters Seniors. He and his St. Peters friends were regulars meeting for breakfast at many of the Brookside eateries after attending daily Mass. He was a founding member and past-President of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, as well as serving on the Honorary Board of Directors. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends, gardening, and visiting the "boats" whenever possible. Andy was preceded in death by his wife, Eulalia Kappel, daughter, Druann Kappel and two sisters. Survivors include his daughter, Joellen Caskey and husband Jim; grandsons Jim and Patrick Caskey; sister, Mary Worland; brother, George Kappel; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Specialty Hospital and also Brighton Gardens for their care and concern. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peters Catholic Church or Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association 3846 West 75th Street Prairie Village, KS 66208 (Arrangements: Muehlebach Funeral Home 816-444- 2060 www.muehlebachchapel.com)