George J Kappel

– George J. Kappel passed away Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. He was born Oct. 3, 1933, in Billings to Joe and Eva Kappel of Park City. George was joined by three brothers, Leroy, Marvin, and Alvin. As George grew up he worked hard with his family to make a success of the family farm. As a young man he enjoyed hunting, fishing and he was well known for his home made smoked sausage and choke cherry wine. George had an ear for music and was soon playing the accordion in a band with his dad and friend Albert Eisenman. They played for weddings and gatherings all over the valley. On June 6, 1953, George married his high school sweetheart Gloria Ann Wells. They bought a farm east of the family farm and soon after David, Debe, and Denise were born. After studying the Bible, George dedicated his life to his God Jehovah and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on April 10, 1965. He sold the farm and moved into Billings and worked as a meat cutter at Pierce Packing. Later he started a Janitorial Company that allowed him to spend more time to witness to his neighbors about the blessings of God’s Kingdom. He conducted bible studies with many and he served as a congregation Elder in the Billings congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 1988 George and Gloria moved to Missoula to be near their daughter Denise. George continued his Janitorial business to support his ministry in Missoula. George and Gloria were known for their generosity and were considered to be Grampa and Gramma to many. George never missed an opportunity to share his hope of being reunited with his family and friends through the promised resurrection. (John 5:28, 29).

He was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Eva and brothers Leroy and Alvin. He is survived by his wife Gloria; son David of Jordan, Montana; daughters Debe (Kirk) Crump and Denise (Philip) O’Bleness of Missoula; brother Marvin (Kay) of Billings; sister-in-law Norma of Park City; 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and many nieces nephews and cousins. We will miss our dad tremendously but we will see him soon in the resurrection that’s "Just around the corner!"
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Memorial service will be Jan. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 1115 S. Reserve St., Missoula. Reception will follow at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, Missoula. Graveside service will be Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at Park City Cemetery, Park City. Reception will follow at Park City Civic Center.