Longtime Malvern Man, Beloved Community Leader, Passes Away At 92

Obituary and image courtesy Mauger-Givnish Funeral Home.

MALVERN, PA -- James Wallace Rapp, 92, Husband of the late Dorothy Margaret Logue Rapp, passed away Saturday November 19, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was the son of the late James Archibald Rapp and Mary Agnes Wallace Rapp.

He graduated from Malvern High School, and attended Drexel for Engineering. Jim served in WWII with the 243 Engineer Combat Battalion of the US Army. Upon his return from service he married Dorothy and spent 66 great years of marriage.

He served the Malvern Community through various organizations, Malvern Fire Company, Civic Association, Judge of Elections, Malvern Planning Commission, President of Borough Council, Paoli VFW Post 5203, as Post Commander and Chaplain, Malvern Troop 7, Chester Valley Little League, and Parade Marshal for Paoli Memorial Association. He was selected as Malvern Business Association “Citizen of the Year” in 1974. He retired from Deluxe Check Printers in 1990 after 30 years. He was a member of St. Patrick Men Club and served as a lector at Sunday morning Mass. Jim was the last Charter Member of Paoli VFW Post 5203. He attended the Malvern Retreat House for 55 years.

In the early 70’s Jim started the first Bulk Trash Pickup of Malvern assembling volunteers from the community and business partners. He coordinated payment for their service by feeding them lunch served by the Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.

He loved travel, camping, cruises, and he cherished his family. He once told his grandchildren that he had to hide from George S. Patton because he was out of uniform. During the past 26 years Jim and Dorothy traveled across the United State visiting 45 states.

Jim is survived by 7 children: Maryanne Johnston Bowes, Susan Palladino (Robert), Pauline Webster (Gerry), Dolores Lee Rapp, Liz Morris (Harold), James E. Rapp (Michelle), Dorothy Kelly (Joseph), 22 Grandchildren, and 7 Great-Grandchildren

He was predeceased in death by his grandson James Robert Rapp.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Malvern Boy Scout Troop 7, PO Box 324, Malvern, PA 19355 or Malvern Retreat House, 315 S. Warren Avenue Malvern, PA 19355

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Jim’s life celebration on Friday November 25, 2016 from 7-9pm at Mauger-Givnish Funeral Home, 24 Monument Avenue, Malvern, PA. Jim’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 10am at St. Patrick Church 104 Channing Avenue, Malvern, PA.