Kenneth 'Ken' Clapper

Kenneth H. Clapper, 90, of Danville, IL, died May 15, 2011. He was born on September 17, 1920, in Chicago, IL, to Mabel D. and Albert Clapper. His parents preceded him in death as did his only brother, Orville Clapper. He married Evelyn Prahl of Bement, IL, on August 28, 1948, at Urbana, IL. They were married 39 years until her death on April 30, 1987. He married Josie Jordan on June 22, 1991, in Danville. She preceded him in death. Kenneth is survived by his three sons; Jeffery K. (Tamara), Gregory L. (Karen), and Kerry R. (Debbie), all of Danville, and his four grandchildren, Jared, Cory, Kyle, and Colby Clapper. Kenneth was a veteran of World War II, and the Korean Conflict. He served as a Tank Platoon Leader with the 47th Tank Battalion, 14th Armored Division, under the Command of General Patton, and was decorated with the Bronze Star. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 in the Korean Conflict and served as a member of the Judge Advocate Generals Corps. He left military service in 1952. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 210, the Korean War Veterans Association and the 14th Armored Division Association. Kenneth received his Bachelors Degree and Law Degree from the University of Illinois (B.S. 1947) (J.D. 1950). He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1950. He practiced law as a partner in the Law Firm of Foreman, Meachum & Clapper until 1972 during which he also served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois. Thereafter he practiced law with his sons, Jeffery K. Clapper & Kerry R. Clapper under the firm name of Clapper & Clapper, P.C. He retired in 1985. He was a member of the Vermilion County Bar Association (President 1976-1977), Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association. Kenneth enjoyed all sports activities, and in particular, tennis, fishing, and dancing. In 1943, he and his doubles partner, Frank Saikley, won a Big Ten Tennis Championship at the University of Illinois. He was past president of the Danville Tennis Club. His hobbies were reading and photography. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Danville, is in charge of funeral arrangements Visitation will be on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home, in Danville, from 4-7pm. Private burial services will be held at a later date. The family requests that memorial donations be given to the YMCA, 1111 North Vermilion St, Danville, IL, or the Danville Tennis Club, P.O. Box 53, Danville, IL