William A. Kaepplinger, 86, of Chicago, IL, passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Born in Chicago on August 2,1936, at Ravenswood Hospital, he was the first child and only son of the late Marguerite (nee Reuter) and William F. Kaepplinger. Beloved husband of sixty-five years to Margaret Mary (nee Printen); proud father of seven: Margaret (Raymond) Heintzelman, the late Mary (Sisi), Joan (the late Tom) Look, William T., Monica (Robert) Bofani, Julie (John) Molenda and Kathryn (Michael) Ciran; cherished grandfather of eight: Robert, Alexander, Joseph, Matthew, Caroline, Ryan, Nicholas and Samantha; brother of Marguerite (the late Gervase) Hill. Devoted uncle, cousin and friend to many.

Attended St. Matthias Elementary School, St. Gregory the Great High School, University of Illinois at Navy Pier and Illinois Institute of Technology.

From childhood, he was intrigued by anything mechanical and the way things worked. He was mentored and guided by his Grandfather Alexander Reuter, Uncle Peter Kaepplinger, and protege to Cousin Chris Kaepplinger.

At the tender age of 12, while on summer vacation from school, he worked at Moore & Co. in Rogers Park on the north side of Chicago. Under the close supervision of his cousin, he learned how to run big LeBlond lathes, turning large brass and stainless steel rollers.

Started a lifelong career in Tool & Die in 1950 with an apprenticeship at Federal Tool Co. in Skokie, IL. He worked at International Machine & Tool, Imperial Stamp & Engraving, and retired in 2020 as Toolroom Foreman after 47 years at Stanley Spring & Stamping Corp.

His love of everything to do with aviation prompted a 50+ year membership with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and annual visits to AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. His interest in collecting and restoring military vehicles was shared with his son and led to membership, convention activities and parades with the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA, formerly MVCC).

He was an avid history buff, voracious reader, and collector. He could, and would, bend your ear about planes, trains, automobiles and ships. His life and work exemplified curiosity, engineering solutions and a willingness to help others.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and healthcare providers at Ascension Health Resurrection Hospital for the care and compassion they bestowed throughout his extended stay.

Visitation service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 2-5 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 4 p.m. at Cooney Funeral Home 625 Busse Highway, Park Ridge. A Mass of remembrance will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, 916 Convent Road NE, Cullman, AL 35055. Donate on-line @ http://shmon.org

For information please call 847-685-1002 or visit www.cooneyfuneralhome.com

Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery
916 Convent Road, Cullman AL 35055
Tel: 1-256-734-4622
Web: https://www.shmon.org/support-us/sacred-heart-monastery-foundation/