DANVILLE, ILL.
Betty Louise Fox Kannapel, 96, of Danville, Illinois, passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at Hawthorne Inn in Danville.
She was born Jan. 18, 1918, in Peoria, Illinois, to Harry Robison Fox and Edna Weber Fox.
She graduated from Peoria High School in 1935, where she was the first female president of a junior class and as a senior was first female president of the student body.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University in 1939 and then obtained her medical technology degree in 1940 from Methodist Hospital in Peoria. She was a member of Epsilon Phi Alpha Honorary Science Fraternity.
Betty married Dr. William Loren Kannapel on May 25, 1946, in Peoria; and they were married for 64 years until his death on March 21, 2011. She and Dr. Bill lived in Dwight, Illinois, for 19 years, where he was chief of medicine at the Veterans Affairs hospital. They moved to Danville in 1965, where he became chief of staff at the Veterans Affairs hospital.
She was very active in many charitable organizations, including P.E.O., Vermilion County Medical Alliance, National Audubon Society (Vermilion County bluebird data coordinator for more than 20 years) and Pi Beta Phi, and was a 50-plus-year member of the Federation of Women’s Club (president in 1964 and also president of the Past Presidents Club). She also directed the women’s club chorus for 20-plus years.
Her many hobbies included sailing, music, sewing, gardening, reading, needlepoint and crafts, bridge clubs, travel and family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother, Charles H. Fox.
She is survived by two daughters, Susan K. Misner of Franklin and Jo Anne K. de la Vega (Dr. Raul) of North Carolina; and five grandchildren, Rachel Misner of Georgia, Karen Misner of Indiana, Stephen and Richard de la Vega of North Carolina and Sarah de la Vega of California. She also is survived by one sister-in-law, Betty Fox of Ohio; and three nephews, Jim (Kate) Fox, Dan (Tammy) Fox and David (Kathy) Fox, all of Ohio.
The family wishes to express our deep gratitude to the wonderful, loyal and very loving caregivers who took care of both Dr. Bill and Betty for seven years in their home. They are Janet Wright, LPN, Christa Cunningham, Karon Rose, Judy Henderson, Carole Taapken and Sandy Tomlinson. They have become part of our family.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Franklin St. in Danville, Illinois, with the Rev. Jimmy Hopper officiating. Visitation will follow the funeral at the church. Burial will be Monday at Danville National Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Sunset Funeral Home in Danville, Illinois.
Memorials may be made to the Illinois Audubon Society Middle Fork Chapter Blue Bird Boxes — Dr. and Mrs. Kannapel Fund, P.O. Box 2547, Springfield, IL.
