Charles O. Tapella

Herrin- Charles O. Tapella, 94, of Herrin, died May 26, 2009. Mr. Tapella and his twin sister Palmira were born April 9, 1915 in Herrin to John and Maria Calcaterra Tapella, immigrants from Cuggiono, Italy. Mr. Tapella was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He graduated from St. Marys School and Herrin High School. He worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps building Babler and Big Springs State Parks in Missouri until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941. After training in Mississippi and Oklahoma, he served with the 863rd Field Artillery Regiment as a sergeant in France and southern Germany. He returned to Herrin after World War II and worked as a clerk typist with the Department of Interior at Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge. He worked at Norge factory in Herrin from 1946 to 1985, retiring at age 70. He did not miss a single day of work in 29 years, and the company created an employee award in his name. Mr. Tapella remained single and cared for his family throughout his life. In 2008 he and his sister Josephine were featured in a WSIU television program about caregiving for older adults. He was a fan of Saluki athletics and Cardinals baseball. He enjoyed gardening and grew much of his own food. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Palmira Tapella Spezia and Josephine C. Tapella. He is sadly missed by his brother in law, Charles A. Spezia and his nephew, Carl J. Spezia and wife Beth, all of Herrin. The funeral mass will be held at 11am on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Monsignor Ken Schaefer officiating. Burial will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. Visitation will be held from 9:30am until the time of service at the church on Thursday. Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Newman Catholic Student Center in Carbondale. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com