RALPH LAPE SR.

CHAFFEE -- Ralph Lape Sr., 76, of Chaffee died Monday, Aug. 17, 1998, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 18, 1922, at Delta, son of Arthur Andrew and Trulie Mae Ikerman Lape. He and Edna Graser were married April 24, 1946.

Lape retired as a conductor with Burlington Northern Railway Co.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and was a prisoner of war in Japanese prison camps 3 years.

Lape was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and its Men's Club, American Legion Post 389 and VFW Post 3127 in Chaffee, and American Ex-Prisoners of War in Arlington, Texas.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Ralph Lape Jr. of Jackson, Stephen Lape of St. Louis; a daughter, Diane Miller of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Joan Jamerson of Fenton; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by two sisters.

Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee after 4 p.m. today.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Ambrose Church, with the Rev. Ralph Duffner officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.