A Funeral Service for Vachel Applebee will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at the Republican City United Methodist Church in Republican City, Nebraska, with Pastor Seong Lee officiating. Interment will follow at the Naponee Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Naponee Hicks-Siegel American Legion Post #364 in conjunction with the United States Navy Military Honors Team.
Elmer Vachel Applebee, 85 years of age, of Republican City, passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society – Colonial Villain Alma, Nebraska. Vachel was born on June 25, 1936, in Phelps County, Kansas, the third of fourth children born to Edward E. and Phoebe (Arasmith) Atkins Applebee. Prior to this marriage, Edward had three children: Gerald, Lee and Eilene; and Phoebe had four children: Otis, Marice, Owen, and Ross. Having both lost spouses, Edward and Phoebe married, combining the family of seven children and adding four additional children: Edward Joy, Phoebe Gay, Elmer Vachel, and Warren Glen. The family was now blessed with eleven children.
Vachel, as he was known by family and friends, attended a rural school in Phelps County, Kansas, before the family moved to Naponee, Nebraska, in 1943. Vachel attended Naponee Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1953.
On July 27, 1954, Vachel enlisted into the United States Navy. He was stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois and volunteered for Submarine School in New London, Connecticut and earned his Dolphins Badge. Vachel served as a Submariner aboard the U.S.S. Chivo in Key West, Florida. Vachel then went back to the Great Lakes, where he attended and graduated from Gyro Technician School and competed his tour of duty on June 17, 1958, in Key West.
On October 4, 1955, Vachel was united in marriage to Eleanor “Ellie” Hergott at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Chicago, Illinois. They were blessed with four children: Stephen, Carolyn, James, and William. They made their first home in Key West. Following his honorable discharge, the family returned to Nebraska for a short time and then moved to Huntington Beach, California, where he had his own contracting business.
He was a member of the St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and in his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, playing sports with his sons and coaching their Little League baseball, and also enjoyed playing golf. Vacations were often spent with family and friends in Nebraska. Vachel also enjoyed fishing in the summer and hunting in the fall.
In 1980, Vachel sold his construction business and he and Ellie moved to Republican City and began farming and began raising cattle in the Naponee area. He retired in 1999, and enjoyed gardening, and golfing in the summer. Winters were spent in California where they enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
He was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Republican City and was a proud member of the Naponee Hicks-Siegel American Legion Post #364.
Vachel was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Carolyn Rodgers; seven brothers; and three sisters.
He leaves to celebrate his life; his loving wife of 66 years, Ellie Applebee; three sons: Steve and his wife, Melia; Jim and his wife, Rona; and Bill and his wife, Sonya; eight grandchildren: Andy; Michelle; Andrea; Lorilee; Melissa; Brittany; Kyra; and Ryan; seven great-grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews; other relatives, and many friends.
There will be no visitation or viewing. The family is honoring his wish for a closed casket.
A memorial has been established in Vachel’s honor and kindly suggested to: “V Foundation for Cancer Research”; www.v.org
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.