Delbert J. Abplanalp

Delbert J. Abplanalp, 95, of Napoleon passed away at 6 p.m., Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville. He was born in the Happy Hollow community west of Osgood on January 17, 1928, the son of Joe and Elsie Peetz Abplanalp. He was married to Dorothy Butt on February 6, 1954 and she preceded him in death on June 24, 2021.

Survivors include two sons Roger (Dee) Abplanalp of Osgood and Larry (Brenda) Abplanalp of Napoleon; one daughter Peggy Abplanalp of Indianapolis; two grandchildren Chelsea Abplanalp of Aurora and Joe (Linsey) Abplanalp of Batesville; one great-grandson Xander Abplanalp. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gilmore.

Mr. Abplanalp was a 1946 graduate of Osgood High School. He was lifelong farmer and had also been employed with the Ripley County Farm Bureau, as well as doing trucking for the Napoleon Lumber Company. He was well known in the community as the local historian, the man you went to when you needed answers about happenings long ago. He had also given many presentations on the 1897 hanging at Versailles. Delbert was an accomplished musician, playing with many different individuals through the years providing music at local dances and playing for nursing homes. He was able to play his guitar until just the last couple of months. Delbert was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church at Napoleon and had served for over 30 years as the church cemetery sexton. He was also a member and director for the Ripley County Historical Society as well as the Osgood Historical Museum.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Doug Brougher officiating. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery at Napoleon. Visitation was on Sunday from 3 p.m. until 6.p.m. Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Cemetery or the Osgood Museum in care of the funeral home.