Dr. William Loren Kannapel

Dr. William Loren Kannapel, 97, of Danville, passed away on March 21, 2011 at his home. He was born on June 13, 1913, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Dr. Amzi Peter Kannapel and Grace (Yeager) Kannapel. He married Betty Louise Fox on May 25, 1946 in Peoria, ILL. They met at an Epsilon Phi Alpha Honorary Science Fraternity Alumni dinner. Bill is survived by his wife, Betty, and two daughters, Susan K. Misner of Indiana; and Jo Anne K. de la Vega, and husband, Dr. Raul S. de la Vega of North Carolina. Also surviving are 5 grandchildren: Rachel Misner of GA, Karen Misner of Indiana, and Stephen, Richard, and Sarah de la Vega of NC; as well as one sister-in-law; Betty Fox and 3 nephews from Ohio. His parents, brother, Dr. Lowell E. Kannapel, and sister, Alma I. Kannapel preceded Bill in death. We wish to express our deep and abiding gratitude to the wonderful, loyal, and loving caregivers who have made it possible for him to stay at home for the past 3 plus years, and have become part of our family: Janet Wright, Christa Cunningham, Karon Rose, Judy Henderson, Carole Taapken, Sandy Tomlinson, Sandy Lyons, Betty Decker, Jaclyn Berglund, Brittany Shank, and Amanda Geren. Bill graduated from Peoria High School, earned his Bachelor of Science from Bradley University in Peoria, IL; his M.D. degree from Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago, IL; and did a Cardiology Fellowship at New York Post Graduate Medical School. He served the country he loved in WW II from Feb., 1943-July, 1946, as a Capt. in the Army Medical Corp. He was stationed in the South Pacific for 3 years, predominantly in Australia and New Guinea. When he arrive home, he continued to serve those who gave much for this county as Chief of Medicine at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dwight, IL, from 1946-1965, when it closed. He was transferred to the VA Hospital in Danville where he remained Chief of Medicine until 1970, when he was elevated to Chief of Staff. He retired in 1986. During his tenure at the VA, Bill was instrumental in starting the University of Illinois Champaign Medical Campus. Always a believer in civic duty and being a good steward on earth, he served as President of the Dwight School Board; member of the Masonic Lodge; member, and past president of the Lions Club; founding member and past president of the Outdoor Heritage Foundation; Vermilion County Medical Society; past president and longtime board member of the Audubon Society; member and 2006 Volunteer of the Year of the Vermilion County Conservation District; and member of the Danville Elks Lodge. His hobbies included bird watching, gardening, wild flowers, photography, wood working, reading, travel, and spending time with and telling stories to family and friends. A Celebration of Dr. William Kannapels Life will begin at 4:00pm on Sunday April 3, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church in Danville, with Drs. Revs. Jimmy and Katie Hooper officiating. Visitation will follow the funeral at the Church. Military burial will be held at the Danville National Cemetery on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 10:00am. Memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Audubon Society, Middle Fork Chapter, Blue Bird Boxes- Dr. and Mrs. Kannapel Fund, PO Box 2547, Springfield, IL