Helen Rosina Kappeler

Helen Rosina Kappeler, age 93, of Dover, died Wednesday, October 26, 2011 in Park Village Healthcare Center at Dover.A daughter of the late James and Bertha Pfeiffer Rinehart, Helen was born on March 29, 1918 at New Philadelphia. The New Philadelphia High School Class of 1935 experienced their first woman president with Helen as their leader and remained an active member of her class throughout her life.Helen met Robert Kappeler at Tuscora Park in 1935. The couple married in 1940 and reared three children. She was proud to be called a homemaker to her family. However, Helen served as a bookkeeper at the former Buchanan Oil at New Philadelphia and at her husband’s business, Geiser and Kappeler, Inc at Dover. Helen was a life-long learner. She was a charter member of the Literary Club of Dover, and enjoyed reading all types of materials to keep up with current events. She and her husband Robert were especially interested in and enjoyed getting to know people of other countries and learning about their cultures. Helen loved children and welcomed them into her home throughout her life. She and Robert hosted five exchange students for periods of four to eight months through the Rotary Exchange Club. They also hosted and entertained approximately 120 people who had been born in 36 different countries. Helping others was Helen’s life-long goal. She was always available to transport, cook, and shop for the elderly who could no longer do it for themselves. She delivered Union Hospital’s Mobile Meals from its inception as a volunteer for more than 24 years. Additionally, she was an active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ at Dover, a member of the Anna Circle, and served in various church activities. Community support and the fine arts in Tuscarawas County were also important to Helen. She was a strong supporter of the Y.M.C.A., and a patron of The Little Theatre and the Tuscarawas Philharmonic. Helen is survived by her three children; Dr. Thomas Kappeler of Los Angeles, California; James Kappeler (wife, Lu) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Jane Kappeler (husband, Carmen Amoroso) of South Euclid, Ohio and a sister, Martha Rinehart Hoernemann (husband, Franklin) of Dayton, Ohio. Four grandchildren, Jake Kappeler Oshins of Seattle, Washington, Max and Jess Kappeler of Eugene, Oregon and Danielle Farrar of Los Angeles, California; two great-grandchildren, Cecilia and Joey Oshins, of Seattle, Washington and numerous nieces and nephews complete the family. In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 1979; and a brother, Robert Rinehart.The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 29, 2011, in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover from 9:30 â?? 11:30 AM. Reverend Hugh B. Berry will lead a celebration of Helen’s life in the Dover Funeral Center at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following the services, the family invites guests to join them for a meal and fellowship in the Geib Family Center at New Philadelphia. Contributions in memory of Helen may be made to The Tuscarawas County Y.M.C.A., 600 Monroe Street Dover, Ohio 44622, St. John’s United Church of Christ, 409 Wooster Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.