In Loving memory
John Rappe
1942-2019
On Monday, April 8, 2019, John Rappe, loving husband, father and Deda (grandfather) passed away at the age of 76. He graduated from McKinley High School and was a true goldbug thru and thru! John was an outstanding athlete but he excelled in football. He was very proud of the fact that he was All State three years in a row and All-American his senior year. He went on to play college football at Murray State University and received his master’s degree in industrial arts. He married his high school sweetheart Janet Jakovac and they had one daughter Christina Degenhardt. After college, he coached and refereed college and high school football for a number of years. He went on to teach at his high school alma mater, McKinley and ended his teaching career at Affton High School. During his retirement years he volunteered his time cutting grass at Sokol camp.
John had a passion for wood working. He enjoyed making furniture, clocks, and crosses. He loved being outdoors on his boat fishing. He also enjoyed all kinds of music. There wasn’t a western or war movie he had not seen. He watched so many WWII movies he would have been considered an expert! He did math problems daily to keep his mind sharp. He was known to help anyone at anytime and he did many good deeds that want unnoticed.
The most important thing to John was his family. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was especially proud of his two grandchildren Zachary and Lauren. He loved playing cards with them and taking them to get snow cones and ice cream. He couldn’t get enough of them or stop bragging about their accomplishments.
John was preceded in death by his father James “Pete” and his mother Darless Rappe. He is survived by his wife Janet of 52 years, his daughter Christina, son-in-law Grant Degenhardt, and his two grandchildren Zachary and Lauren. He is also survived by four siblings, numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and Kum.
He was a good friend to all that knew him and will be truly missed.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice.
Services:. Funeral from KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, Saturday, April 13, 9:00 a.m. to Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Mount Hope Mausoleum. Visitation Friday, April 12, 4-8 p.m. www.kutisfuneralhomes.com