Emily Appel Vermeersch was born to Joseph Appel and Kate Hogan Appel on April 1, 1917 in Detroit, Michigan. When she was 12 years old Emily jumped into Fox Creek to save a 7 year old playmate from drowning. During the war she was a Rosie the Riveter. Emily lived in Michigan until 1977 when she moved to Sun City, Arizona with her beloved husband Rene. Emily and Rene were married 48 years until his death in 1983. She is predeceased by her daughter Donna. Emily is survived by son Ron (Carol) and daughter Renee (Jim) Casillas. She was a loving presence to her nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Sun City. Emily will be laid to rest next to her husband at Sunland Memorial Park also in Sun City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Emily’s memory to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014.
