Carl Lape
June 29, 1934 — March 13, 2016
Carl L. Lape, 81, of Van Wert, died a 12:26 a.m. Sunday, March 13, 2016, in the emergency room of Van Wert County Hospital in Van Wert.
He was born June 29, 1934, near Bowling Green, the son of John L. and Mabel (Crates) Lape, who both preceded him in death. On January 15, 1955, he married Margaret Ruth (Pruden) Lape, who survives in Van Wert.
Other survivors include three children, Phillip (Sara) Lape, Joy (Gerald) Gordon, and Lynda Lape, all of Van Wert; one sister, Helen (John) Kidd of Weston; four grandchildren, Lindsey (Brad) Balliet, J. Cody (Amanda) Lape, Daniel Lape, and David Gordon; and three great-grandchildren, Carson, Logan, and Greyson.
A daughter, Nancy Jane Lape; four brothers, John Lape Jr., Fred Lape, Gerald Lape, and Richard Lape; and a sister, Joann Lape, who died in infancy, also preceded him in death.
Carl formerly worked at Borden Foods and then for Central Mutual Insurance Company in the maintenance department, from which he retired after 15 years of service. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in rural Van Wert County.
He was a U.S. Army veteran and played basketball at Giffin College in Van Wert. Carl was a founder of the Van Wert Youth Rabbit Club and a lifetime member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. He was a founder of the Van Wert Apple Festival and the Fruit Growers Association of Van Wert. He was also an avid basketball fan and cheered on the Lincolnview Lancers.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 17, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Greg Wack officiating. Burial will be in Tomlinson Cemetery on the Van Wert and Mercer County line.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, at the funeral home.