Sandra (Wilhite) Tappe 1940-2009

Sandra Tappe, of Crocker, was born on April 4, 1940 at Rolla, a daughter of Samson Lewis and Mary Catherine (Page) Wilhite and departed this life, after a brief illness, at 7:45 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2009, in the Lake Regional Health System, Osage Beach. Sandra had attained the age of 69 years, 7 months and 2 days.
 
Sandra was united in marriage on January 17, 1970, at the Crocker Christian Church to Dale F. Tappe, and to this union one daughter, Stephanie, was born. Sandra was preceded in death by her father on March 16, 1999; her mother on January 23, 1990; and one sister, Maxine Catherine Wilhite.
 
Sandra was a member of the Crocker Christian Church. She worked for Morgan Abstract Company in Waynesville, Crocker City Hall, and for D. L. Salveter.
 
Sandra, our gentle and loving family member has left us. She will be greatly missed by those of us lucky enough to have known her, but we rejoice, knowing that she is with her heavenly Father now, and we look forward to a great reunion with her. Sandra was a voracious reader and lover of words, witty sayings, and history. She loved to bake treats for family and friends and work in her yard and garden. She will be remembered as our family historian—for the witty and encouraging e-mails and handwritten letters she sent to family members each day, for the family stories and memories she shared, and for the many newspaper clippings she cut out and shared with us. If you were ever visited by Sandra, you were greeted with a big smile and, most likely, chocolate chip cookies. Sandra was widely known for her kindness, compassion and the gift of looking at the good side of things. Sandra loved her family unconditionally. She cared for her mother, father and mother-in-law as their health failed and was like a second mother to her nephews. Her humor, care for others, intelligence and quiet, steady faith were an inspiration to us all.        
 
Those left to mourn the passing of Sandra include: her husband, Dale Tappe, Crocker; one daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Dusty Walter, Columbia; three grandchildren, Kate, Claire and Ben Walter; two sisters, Patricia Ann Kaylor, Kansas City and Susie Wilhite Plemmons and husband David, Wright City; nephews, David Kaylor and John Kaylor, both of Kansas City and William David Plemmons and his wife, Bonnie Lyn and their son, Brandon William, all of St. Peters; and many other relatives and friends.
 
Funeral services will be conducted for Sandra Tappe at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, 2009, in the Crocker Christian Church with Pastor Larry Richardson, officiating. “Come To Jesus” and “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” will be performed by Janiece Leigh, vocalist, Troy Marsh, pianist, and Amy Appold, violinist, for the funeral service.
 
Interment will be in the Crocker Public Cemetery under the direction of the Long Funeral Home, Crocker. Pallbearers for Sandra are Dusty Walter, Stuart Walter, David Plemmons, Bill Plemmons, John Kaylor and Richard Tingle. Honorary pallbearer is Benny Brown.
 
Memorial contributions are suggested by the family to the American Cancer Society with envelopes available at the office of the Long Funeral Home, Crocker.