Emma M. "Bunny" Rapalje's Obituary
Emma J. “Bunny” Rapalje of Tavares passed away on Friday, June 20, 2014 at the age of 92 years. She was born in Vineland, New Jersey and moved to this area in October of 1949 from Chicago. Bunny worked as a teacher’s assistant at Tavares Elementary School many years ago. After her career with the school she went to work as the church secretary at the First United Methodist Church of Tavares. She was the longest and oldest active member of the church. She served as the membership secretary for 60 years. Bunny lead the children’s choir for many years. She also sang in the choir for 60 years. She was an amateur photographer and developed her own photos. At one time she was the photographer for the Tavares Citizen and the Daily Commercial. She was an active member of the Eastern Star and was a past Worthy Matron. She was also a member of the Amaranth. One of her favorite hobbies was to make angel pins. She made thousands of them and gave them to everyone she met. She had a wonderful sense of humor and more than anything, she loved to tell a good joke to friends and even to people she just met. Bunny was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years in 1999, John D. Rapalje, Jr.; her son, James W. Rapalje in 2008 and her brother, Warren C. Maytrott in 2003. She is remembered and will be dearly missed by her son, Dr. Robert J. (Martha) Rapalje of Zellwood, FL; daughters, Janet R. Wiley of Leesburg, FL and Nancy R. (Ozzie) Concado of Leesburg; sister, Elsie M. Greenhalgh of Polk City, FL; grandchildren, Robert (Rashelle) Rapalje, Jr., Philip (Christina) Rapalje, Marie (Amanda) Fox, Mindy Fox, Meagan Concado, Pat (Candace) Wiley, Mark (Anne) Wiley, Dr. Marla (Kyle) Carter and Danny Rapalje; great grandchildren, Jessica, Caylyne, Cassie, Alex, Amber (Matt), Miranda, Jack, Christopher, Tristen, Matthew, Jenna, Kayla, Matthew, Kim, Christopher, Phoenix, and one on the way; and great great grandchildren, Jaden, Madison, Jaxon, and two on the way. Family and friends are invited to gather for viewing on Monday, June 23 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm in the funeral home. A funeral Ceremony will start at 11:00 am on Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church of Tavares under the direction of Pastor John Barham. Burial will follow at Tavares Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the First United Methodist Church, 600 W. Ianthe Street, Tavares, FL 32778. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.
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