Neil R. Rappley

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Neil R. Rappley, 76, of Ironwood Township, passed away Monday, April 20, 2015, at Westgate nursing facility. Neil was born Aug. 4, 1938, in Ironwood Township to the late Samual and Taimi (Korhonen) Rappley. He attended Roosevelt school and Luther L. Wright high school.

He worked many years in logging with his father before moving to Kenosha Wis., working at American Motors and Chrysler. Retiring in 1989, he moved back to Ironwood. Neil, known as "Sonny," enjoyed hunting, fishing and four-wheeling with his family and friends. He liked a good game of cribbage, smear, and darts. He was in many tournaments and also liked going for rides with his faithful companion "Echo."

He is survived by his sons Jeff and Paul Rappley; daughters Michelle Kitto and Tena Rappley; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Myrna Jaster, June Anderson, and Betty (Charles "Butch") Knight and Sharon Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons Timothy, Neil Jr., Kevin and Shane Rappley; and great-grandson Derrek Rappley.

Neil was very proud of his Indian heritage. He enjoyed drumming and dancing when other native Americans would stop over and visit from the reservation.

"Life is in the flash of a firefly in the night. It is in the breath of a buffalo in the winter. It is in the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. May the "Great Spirit" watch over you on the rainbow trail." - unknown author

Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home, Ironwood.