Published on September 8, 2026 11:00 am
Last Updated on September 8, 2026 11:01 am
Lester Arthur Tappendorf, 76, of Bellefontaine, away Tuesday morning, June 2, 2026, at Mary Rutan Hospital.
Lester was born on September 7, 1949, in Vandalia, Illinois, to the late Theodore and Elnore (Milleville) Tappendorf.
He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn (Craig) Tappendorf, a granddaughter Emma Westphal, sister Helen Tappendorf, and brother-in-law David Ruppel.
Lester is survived by his second wife, Alice (Craig) Tappendorf; daughter Heidi (Kevin) Mellon of Peyton, Colorado; son Arthur (Nancy) Tappendorf of Bellefontaine; 6 grandchildren: Aaron (Isis) Tappendorf, Sarah (Raymond) Ferki, Noah (Reagan) Tappendorf, Rachel Tappendorf, Jacob Westphal, and Joshua Westphal; 3 great-grandchildren: John, Grayson, and Joel Tappendorf; 2 step-great-grandchildren: Tommy and Allison Thompson; and sisters Lorene (Tom) Wilson of Fairborn, Ohio, and Mabel Ruppel of Springfield, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
A veteran of United States Air Force, Lester served during the Vietnam War and retired after 21 years of service. He was stationed at KI Sawyer AFB, and also spent time in Holland and Germany. While stationed in Europe, Lester and his family spent time traveling, camping, and visiting several countries. Following his military retirement, he worked as an IT analyst for many years. Lester enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, wood working, and fixing things – he had many projects that needed fixed.
A graveside service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2026 at St. Paul (ELCA) Cemetery with Pastor Pam Power officiating and military rites by Gieseking-Schwerdtfeger VFW Post # 7676 and Grobengieser-Fischer American Legion Post #512, Altamont. Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with local arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.help.dav.org)
Online condolences may be expressed at www.giesekingfh.com