Extracted from The Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ)
Sunday, January 10, 2010

Alvin C. Appel
October 17, 1920 -- January 7, 2010

Al (Bud) went to be with our Lord on January 7th, at 8:10 p.m. at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Bruce Bobell. Present were Al's wife of 65 years, Benjai; Melinda and Bruce. In addition to Benjai, Melinda and Bruce, he is survived by half sister, Dorothy Mestemacher of Campbell, CA; daughters, Charlotte Smeltzer of Luray, VA, Marcia Bledsoe (Bob), Pagosa Springs, CO; Cindy Appel-Winn (Peter); six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Al was born in Newell, IA where he grew up on a farm. This is where he developed his strong work habits and business ethic. To Al, a handshake was as good as a written contract as his word was his bond.

Al and Benjai, the love of his life and best friend, were married at the First Baptist Church in Winnfield, LA on February 17, 1945 by Reverend H.H. McBride.

He was in the ROTC at Iowa State where his education was temporarily interrupted by active duty in the Army from 1943 to 1946 with a tour in Japan and then returning to complete his BA in 1947. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1972.

Al worked in the Insurance, Banking and Real Estate industries in Iowa, Minnesota, Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. Retiring from Realty Executives in Tucson in 1994.

The Appel family moved from MN to Phoenix in 1958, Tucson in 1968 where he and Benjai were members of the Emmanuel Baptist Church and finally to Grand Junction, CO in 1995. He was a dedicated family man who loved to garden, play golf, bridge and construct jig-saw puzzles with his family. He enjoyed helping his neighbors and also volunteered for various service organizations.

The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Fenster, Dr. Gary Snyder, Candy Kasper R.N., Dr. William Kelley and Dr. Mark Madsen for their wonderful and personal care.

There will be an informal Celebration of Al's life Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Tucson Fellowship Bible Church, 6700 E. Broadway.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Hospice and Pallative Care of Western Colorado; Redlands United Methodist Church, Grand Junction, CO. or Tucson Fellowship Bible Church, 6721 E. 12th St., Tucson, AZ 85710.