WEBSTER – Gordon W. Appelt, 78, of 10 Bates Crossing, died Friday, Dec. 24, in the Transitional Care Unit at Hubbard Regional Hospital after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 55 years, Alice P. (Szczypien) Appelt; 2 sons, Gordon D. and his wife Antionette L. Appelt of Worcester, and Timothy W. and his wife Sue E. Appelt of Webster; a daughter, Mary Alice Paul of North Grosvenordale, CT; 2 grandchildren, Michael J. Paul and Stephanie T. Appelt; 3 great grandchildren, Kyle, Rachel and Maximilian Paul; a niece, Jeannie Cross Woodman of New York; and cousins.
He was born in Webster, the son of Rudolph R. and Ella (Guenther) Appelt. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1943.
Mr. Appelt was a Navy veteran of both World War II and the Korean War.
He worked as a machinist in the stitching room at Bates Shoe Company for 33 years. He then worked part-time at Ethan Allen Company in Dudley, retiring in 1991.
He was an active member of Saint Louis Church, volunteering for festivals and serving on numerous committees for almost 50 years. He was also a member of the Webster Knights of Columbus Council # 228, the Webster-Dudley American Legion Post #184, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, Dec. 28, from Scanlon Funeral Service, East Main St., with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Louis Church, 14 Lake St. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 6:00 to 9:00 PM Monday, Dec. 27, at the funeral home. Donations may be made to either the St. Louis School Endowment Fund, 15 Lake St., Webster, MA 01570 or to the Central Massachusetts Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.