Henry Edward Rappleyea Sr.

1927 - 2022

FISHER - Henry Edward Rappleyea Sr. went to his eternal home Friday (Dec. 30, 2022). He passed away at home with his granddaughter by his side.

Henry was born on Oct. 17, 1927, in Freehold, N.J., to Myrtle Haggerman and William Henry Rappleyea. He married Ella (Babe) Tenney on Sept. 21, 1946. They were married for over 70 years until her passing in 2016.

Henry was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps/Air Force for 20 years, retiring at the rank of senior master sergeant. He served in the Korean War and was responsible for establishing the orthopedic brace shop at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. He then went on to own and operate his own orthopedic brace shop, University Orthopedics in Champaign, Urbana and Danville, for over 30 years.

Henry is survived by his four children, Janet (Lonnie) Meuser of West Plains, Mo., Sherrill (Norman, deceased) Oyer of Ridott, Henry (Debbi) Rappleyea Jr. of Mahomet and Bill (Alison) Rappleyea of Fisher. He has 10 grandchildren, Katrina Meuser, Serena (Chris) Boaz, Christina (Rence) Kretchmer, Christian Oyer, Jennifer (Cesar) Herrera, Henry (Jenny) Rappleyea III, Rebecca (Scott) Gercken, Ben (Megan) Rappleyea, Daniel (Bridget) Rappleyea and Elizabeth Rappleyea; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Babe; four sisters, Emma, Laura, Myrtle and Florence; a brother, Charlie; and his son-in-law, Norman Oyer.

Henry and Babe were members of Shiloh Church, where he served in many positions of leadership. He was a member of the American Legion, the Gideons and was a Boy Scout leader for many years. He was active in local Fisher government for several years and served as mayor for a time. He enjoyed flying his own private plane until the age of 92. He voluntarily flew over 300 young children for the EAA Young Eagles program.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 7, at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 354 CR 2700 North, Mahomet, IL 61853. The funeral service will begin at noon, and the burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery, with Pastor Brent Roberson officiating.  Memorials may be made to the EAA Young Eagles, Gibson Area Hospital or Shiloh UM Church. Rosenbaum Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.