Francis “Lee” Leroy Tapley, 82, of Vincennes, IN, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2016 at his home.
He was born May 29, 1934, in Lawrence County, IL to Floyd and Edith (Hanson) Tapley.
Lee retired from Crane Naval Base as an explosive operator in 1993 and had worked as foreman at Hamilton Glass for 13 years before going to Crane and also the Vincennes Water Department. He served as a First-Class Seaman on the USS Baltimore and was a Korean War Navy Veteran. His memberships included the American Legion, Life time D.A.V. and the V.F.W. and enjoyed bowling for 60 years of his life at Creole Lanes, Fort Sackville and Vincennes University.
Lee is survived by his wife, Suzanne (Foster) Tapley whom he married August 10, 1990; sons, Terry Tapley and his wife Kathy of Vincennes, Don Tapley and his fiancé Lisa Patton of Vincennes, and Tim Tapley of Illinois; step-sons, Toney Dwayne Smith, Ivan Dwight Smith both of Olney, Illinois; grandson’s, Nick, Austin and Donald Tapley Jr. all of Vincennes, Robert and Haley Smith of Olney, and Joshua Smith of Olney; great-granddaughter, Alana Tapley of Vincennes; brothers, Neile Tapley, Richard “Dick” Tapley and his wife Janice of Vincennes, Mike Tapley and his wife Joyce of Nokomis, Florida; sister, Rosalee Martindale of Newbern, Tennessee.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, infant Joy Ellen Tapley, Shirly Garby; brothers, Floyd Dean Tapley Jr., and Gary Tapley.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 14, 2016 at Goodwin Funeral Home at 10:00 am with Pastor Pete White officiating. Friends and family may visit with Lee’s family Sunday from 2:00pm-6:00pm. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Knox County Humane Society or Good Samaritan Hospice. Online condolences may be sent to the family through goodwinfamiyfh.com.