Richard Kapala

Richard Kapala, 75, of Prudenville died Nov. 8, 2008 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

A service was scheduled Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, with Fr. Tony Cureton officiating. The Rosary was recited Tuesday evening at Christler Funeral Home, Prudenville Chapel by the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. Interment was in Denton Township Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Church or Mercy Amicare Hospice.

Mr. Kapala was born in Detroit, Nov. 4, 1933, to the late Louis and Susie (Kady) Kapala. He served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper during the Korean Conflict. He and Doreen Gillespie were married June 14, 1958, in Detroit and she survives. He was a school teacher for several years in the Center Line Public Schools before retiring in 1991. The Kapalas moved to the Prudenville area in 1992 from Sterling Heights.

Mr. Kapala was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Houghton-Higgins Elks, Houghton Lake Eagles, Houghton Lake Moose, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid outdoorsman (golfing in good weather and bad), was known to have a great sense of humor, was an eternal optimist and had great love for his family.

Surviving Mr. Kapala are his loving wife of 50 years, Doreen Kapala of Prudenville; one son, Richard (and his wife Bridget Kapala of Idaho; three daughters, Robin and her husband Donald Thomas of Saginaw, Renee and her husband Mark Loman of Gladstone and Roxanne Kapala of Saginaw; four grandchildren, Cullen, Erin, Adam and Sam; one sister, Esther Gabbana of Dearborn Heights; and one brother, Thomas Kapala of Prudenville.