Frederick Appel

Services will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday February 4, 2011, at Canfield Christian Church, with calling hours at 4:00 pm for Frederick Appel, who died at home on January 28, 2011. He was born July 1, 1915 in Meyersdale, PA, a son of William C. and Bertha Deeter Appel. He was a graduate of Somerset High School and attended Youngstown College. He was preceded in death by his sisters Deeter and Sarah; brothers William, John, and Edwin; wife Betty Stanley Appel, and son Thomas. He had be a bridge contractor, originally coming to the Mahoning Valley to work for Porterfield-Binger Construction Co. He later became the company’s president for over thirty years, then worked for Keffler Construction Co. for several years until retirement in 1980. Professionally, he was a member of the Ohio Contractor’s Association and the American Society of Highway Engineers. Serving in the Pacific theater with the US Army during World War ii, Fred earned three Bronze Stars. He held the rank of Master Sergeant with the 52nd Engineers Combat Regiment. He was a member of VFW Post 9947. He married Mildred Elizabeth (Betty) Stanley in Tulahoma, Tennessee on October 9, 1943. They enjoyed a happy marriage until her death in 1979. Fred was Elder Emeritus at Canfield Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where he served in many congregational positions over a period of sixty years. Civic minded, Fred was a member of the Canfield Charter Commission, and volunteered for many years with Hospice of the Valley and Fish Samaritan House. He was an energetic supporter of other organizations and causes, ranging from the Organization of Protestant Men to Planned Parenthood. He was recognized for his volunteer efforts numerous times, including the Rotary Club’s Man of the Year in 2002, one of the Daily Points of Light in 1999 by President G.H.W. bush for his work with Hospice of the Valley, and awards from the state of Ohio, the American Cancer Society and other organizations. He is survived by his son Frederick (Wendy) Appel, Jr. of Indianapolis, daughter Sarah (Steve) Ifill of Canfield; grandchildren Jeffery (Sandra) Appel and Amanda Appel (Katherine Mellen) of Indianapolis, Elisabeth Ifill of Youngstown, and Valerie Ifill of Ft. Mill, South Carolina, and great granddaughter Drew Baya Appel of Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frederick Appel may be made to Canfield Christian Church – Disciples Mission Fund (123 S. Broad St., Canfield 44406) or to Hospice of the Valley. Arrangements were by Lane Funeral Home Canfield Chapel.