When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): four children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, Illinois, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, Colorado and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, Michigan; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4-8 PM at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1:00 PM; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). His wife died last year.
I know many in our class have fond memories of Mr. Appler. The photo is from our 50th reunion.
Raymond G. Appler 1920—2016
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf
Raymond G. Appler 1920—2016
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf
Raymond G. Appler 1920—2016
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf
5 comments:
Too young to have had Mr Appler in class/school. Knew him casually from his attendance at his son John's American Legion baseball games. I helped coach in the late 60's and early 70's. John was as good a hitter as we ever had. Hit a tremendous home run at Polo. John was also very smart. Got his undergraduate degree at Trinity in CT. R via e-mail
Thank you Norma for the heads up on Mr. Appler. I remember the name, but was too young to have him in class.:)
Jim
I remember him and always liked him as a teacher. He lived to a ripe old age and touched many people's lives. Thanks for letting us know. Connie
Thanks for posting the notice for Mr. Appler here and on Facebook. He lived a long life and I learned some things about him in his obituary that I never knew before. We were fortunate to grow up in Mt. Morris when it was in its height & glory!! GREAT MEMORIES!!!! Jon
He was never my home room teacher but he did try to teach me some math-poor guy..I am sure he thought there was no hope for me-he was right, of course...I had the beloved Mrs. Burstrom as my home room teacher in 8th grade and unforgetable Mrs. Westfall in 7th...I considered myself lucky...however, I remember best the Appler's never failed to attend our reunions. I don't think he knew who I was because he never asked me to divide anything...maybe if he had...he would have said " Oh yes, the dumb one what's her name" He had a good long life...we didn't hurt him a bit. RIP Lynne
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