Wesley Caple

Wesley Caple, 89, of Benton Harbor, MI went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 8:00 A.M. at the Merlin & Carolyn Hansen Hospice Center in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 20, 2014 at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph with Rev. Dr. Robert Braman officiating. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to First Congregational Church Music Ministries or the Merlin & Carolyn Hansen Hospice Center or the American Heart Association. Those wishing to share a memory of Wesley online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Wesley was born April 20, 1924 in International Falls, MN to Robert & Edith (Taylor) Caple. He proudly served his country in the US NAVY as a fighter pilot during WWII flying FCF Hellcat and F4U Corsair aircraft and was also in the Reserves during the Korean War. Wesley graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1949 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. On June 19, 1948 he married Mary Louise Hadler in International Falls, MN. Wesley worked for Whirlpool Corporation starting as a Director of Engineering and working finally as a Quality Control Director before retiring after 34 years. He was a member of First Congregational Church, President of Kiwanis Club and the Junior Achievement Organization in St. Joseph. Wesley enjoyed fishing, hunting, tennis, walking and cribbage. He was a devoted husband and father, who was kind hearted, generous and hard working. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Wesley is survived by his wife Mary Caple; six sons James (Laurie) Caple, Guy (Linda) Caple, Steve (Michelle) Caple, Jeff (Patti) Caple, Scott (Meredith) Caple and David Caple; fourteen grandchildren; one great grandchild; and brother Archie (Jean) Caple. Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Jacob Caple, siblings Edith Selsaas, Robert Caple, Rudy Caple, Vena Kalar, Ira Caple, John Caple, and Doris Borg.