Leonard Joseph Hannapel's Obituary
Leonard Joseph Hannapel passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, IL. Leonard (or LJ as he was fondly called by his children) was born on March 16, 1924, in Chicago, IL to his mother, Monica and Joseph Jacob Hannapel.
LJ was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Phyllis Wladis Hannapel, his sisters, Jeanne Carlyle and Monica Hannapel, his daughter, Leslie Jane Kessler, and his grandson, Michael Colton Hannapel. He is survived by his sister, Maureen Kliest, his children, Penny Duncan (Ed), Michael (Lynn), David, Dennis (Sarah), and Jeffrey Hannapel (Emily), and his beloved grandchildren Corey (Montana) and Andy Duncan; Mark Hull (Jennifer) and Lindsay (Jonathan Moscow); Keith (Sara), Brent (Lindsay), and Tess Hannapel; Vanessa (Chris Wallis); Bailey (Josef Falcone), Peter, Reilly, Leland, and Caroline Hannapel; ten great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
LJ attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, where he excelled in music and track. He briefly attended St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas on a music and track scholarship. After joining the US Army, LJ attended several universities, including Manhattan and Syracuse majoring in engineering and later pre-medicine. It was at Syracuse University where LJ met the love of his life, Phyllis Mae Wladis, on a blind date. LJ completed two years of medical school at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH and completed his medical degree in 1948 at the University of Illinois, Chicago campus, College of Medicine. After completion of his degree, LJ was stationed at Camp Atterbury, Columbus IN during his residency working at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis. In 1953, LJ was recruited by clinic director, Dr. Heinz Hoffman, and joined the newly organized Decatur Clinic in Decatur IL.
LJ’s life was marked by compassion, integrity and constancy. He practiced internal medicine in Decatur for forty-four years retiring in 1997 and had a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of his patients and their families. He was beloved by his patients for his accessibility, quality of care, and dedication — still making house-calls late into his career. He routinely donated his time to perform physicals for high school athletes at St. Teresa. He was an active Roman Catholic all his life, a member of the Decatur Country Club, and a dedicated leader in the medical profession. All his life, LJ loved playing golf and bridge, devouring his daily crossword puzzle, attending music concerts and operas, and was an avid reader (participating in several book clubs), even into his nineties. Morning tea with LJ was a highlight for any visitor to the Hannapel home. LJ was a dedicated sports fan of the University of Notre Dame, the University of Illinois, the Bears, the Cardinals and the White Sox, and he shared this passion with his children. He traveled extensively both domestically and internationally. LJ was a fortunate man who lived a very fulfilling life, one that was constantly filled with love.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to: Dr. Leonard J and Phyllis M Hannapel Scolarship at Millikin University.
The family will receive friends and loved ones during visitation on Thursday, July 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home,
A funeral mass to celebrate LJ’s life will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 2160 N. Edward, Decatur, IL on Friday, August 1 at 11:00 am followed by interment of his ashes at Graceland Cemetery.
The Hannapel family is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL 62526. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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